Costa Mesa Police Officers Recognized

A "REWARDING" TIME
It's been an interesting few days for the Costa Mesa Police Department

A PRIVATE CEREMONY

 (Chief Gazsi, photo courtesy of Cindy Brenneman)

Monday morning, March 17th, Chief Tom Gazsi formally recognized recent-hires and newly promoted police officers, as well as six Employees of the Year for their distinguished service during 2013.  The event was held in a private ceremony at the Crossing Church in Costa Mesa.

RECIPIENTS
Recognized yesterday morning with Employee of the Year awards were Police Explorers Eric Molina and Sally Ortiz, volunteer Tom Graham, recently retired Detective Secretary Ursula Basich, Police Officer Mike Cohen and Police Sergeant Scott May.

(Lt. Scott, Lt. Davis, Captain Gogerty, Sgt. May, Chief Gazsi, 
Officer Cohen, Captain Sharpnack, Lt. Glass, Lt. Manley)

MIKE COHEN
Officer Mike Cohen was honored as Officer of the Year for 2013.  His CMPD career began in 1987, where he has worked Patrol and speciality assignments including Traffic Safety Bureau, Detective Bureau and as a Canine Officer.  He has also worked as a SWAT Officer, Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor and Department Assistant Armorer.  Currently he works a weekend schedule to best meet the needs of developing new police officers assigned to Patrol.

SCOTT MAY
Sergeant Scott May was honored as Supervisor of the Year for 2013.  He began with the CMPD in 1985 where he worked Patrol, as a motorcycle officer and as a Narcotics Investigator.  He served as a member of the Orange County Regional Narcotics Suppression Team and as a SWAT Sergeant.  He currently oversees the Special Investigations/Gang unit.  During the last five years May's detail has seized nearly $60 million of narcotic asset funds; over 1,600 kilograms of cocaine; more than 3,000 pounds of marijuana; over 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine and over 20 pounds of heroin.

 (Chief Gazsi and Explorer Sally Ortiz)

 (Chief Gazsi and Explorer Eric Molina)

 (Chief Gazsi with Volunteer Tom Graham and his wife, Jeanine)

2014 MADD CENTURY AWARDS
Also acknowledged at the breakfast presentations were six Costa Mesa Police Officers who were recently honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for their diligence in arresting impaired drivers.  Those six tallied at least 100 DUI arrests during 2013 and were among the 14 officers so recognized in Orange County.  Shown in the photo below are officers Jeff Horn, Jose Torres, Erik Rosado, Oscar Reyes and Crystal Rodriguez.  Officer Jason Hatton is not shown.  Kudos to these officers for continuing to try to keep us safe.

KUDOS, AND THANKS

Congratulations to all those members and former members of the Costa Mesa Police Department for their dedication and skill, and for doing their part to provide the best police effort possible under very difficult circumstances.

DUI Checkpoints Yield Results

ANOTHER SUCCESS THIS WEEKEND
The most recent DUI Checkpoint in Costa Mesa Friday night, June 7th through Saturday morning, June 8th, once again yielded good results.  Six DUI-alcohol suspects were arrested and an additional 4 drivers were either cited or arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed and 5 more were cited or arrested for operating a vehicle while suspended/revoked.

BIG NUMBERS OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS
While a few folks in the community complain that these events are costly and not productive, the results demonstrate a different story.  The last three DUI Checkpoints over the past six weeks had more than 7500 cars pass through the checkpoints; 1754 were screened; 64 individuals had field sobriety tests and 20 were arrested for DUI-alcohol.  In addition, another 33 individuals were arrested or cited for other infractions and 27 cars were impounded.

CMPD, LED BY KHA BAO, ARE VERY EFFECTIVE
Members of the Costa Mesa Police Department consistently rank among the most effective in identifying and apprehending drunk drivers on our streets and receive awards accordingly.  Right at the top of the heap is Officer Kha Bao, who has snagged 640 drunk drivers over the past two years.  We've reported on his accomplishments several times in the past.

ANOTHER AWARD LAST WEEKEND
Most recently Officer Bao was recognized in Sacramento by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) on June 1st for arresting 208 drunk drivers in 2012.  This photos shows him at that ceremony holding his awards.

TARGETED ENFORCEMENT, TOO
Some of you may feel DUI Checkpoints are not effective tools to fight this problem in our city, but facts are facts.  Can targeted enforcement yield "more scalps"?  Yes, I think so, and so does Chief Tom Gazsi.  In the past he has stated that he planned to use that technique more, but that the DUI-Checkpoints will always be part of their arsenal to combat these particular crimes.

KUDOS, AND THANKS
So, kudos to ALL the members of the CMPD for their diligence in removing dangerous drivers from our streets, and to Officer Kha Bao for his continued excellence.

MADD Honors CMPD Team - Again

 

(left to right: CMPD Chief Tom Gazsi, California Office of Traffic Safety Director Christopher Murphy, Officer Erik Rosado, Officer Crystal Rodriguez, Officer Jose Torres, Captain Rob Sharpnack, Officer Kha Bao, Officer Oscar Reyes, Officer Tony Yannizzi, Officer Chris Brunt, Officer Darren Wood, Captain Les Gogerty, Captain Allen Huggins, Lieutenant Greg Scott and California Office of Traffic Safety Operations Coordinator Julie Schilling)

ANOTHER BIG YEAR
Yesterday the Costa Mesa Police Department announced awards received by members of the department at the 26th Annual Mother's Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Recognition Luncheon held at the Richard M. Nixon Library in Yorba Linda on March 7th.

COSTA MESA'S STELLAR PERFORMANCE
One of the highlights of the luncheon was the presentation of Century Awards to officers who have tallied 100 or more DUI arrests during 2012.  Of the 21 recipients from nine different law enforcement agencies to receive this prestigious award, one-third - 7 officers - were from Costa Mesa.

KHA BAO LEADS THE PACK
Leading the way in Costa Mesa again was Officer Kha Bao with 206 arrests.  He was one of only two to receive the Double Century Award - 200 or more arrests.  You'll recall that Officer Bao was honored last year for achieving more than 400 arrests.

SIX MORE OVER 100
Other Costa Mesa officers receiving the Century Award were Officer Oscar Reyes (113), Officer Jeff Horn (140), Officer Darren Wood (113), Officer Tony Yannizzi (110), Officer Crystal Rodriquez (106) and Officer Erik Rosado (104).  These seven officers accounted for 892 DUI arrests last year.

KUDOS TO ALL!
Congratulations to all those officers for their achievements.  Thanks to them, and all the other members of the Costa Mesa Police Department, for their efforts to keep our community safe in these difficult times.

CMPD Officer Kha Bao Honored - Again

MADD HONORS KHA BAO AS HERO
In a press release dated June 4, 2012, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) California announced the recipients of the MADD California Hero Awards for 2012.  Included in those receiving the award was Costa Mesa police officer Kha Bao for his outstanding work taking drunk drivers off our streets.  You will recall that officer Bao was recently recognized with the Employee of the Month Award for his exemplary work, HERE.

GALA AWARD DINNER
The 14th anniversary of the MADD California Statewide Law Enforcement and Community Recognition Dinner - Celebrate California Heroes, was attended by more than 600 people from 53 California counties who gathered to see awards given to individual officers, departments, state park agencies, media and community partners whose actions and policies are aligned with MADD's mission to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.

THANKS...
Once again, congratulations to Officer Kha Bao for his diligence in removing drunk drivers from our streets and making them just that much safer for us all.  He's yet another reason we should be proud of ALL the members of the CMPD for all the work they do to keep our city safe.