Three Ceres Police officers were recognized last week for making 25 or more DUI arrests over a one-year period.
At a luncheon held at the Ripon Community Center, Valley law enforcement personnel were recognized by the California Office of Traffic Safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for their contributions to help stop the crime of driving under the influence last year.
Officer Freddie Ortiz - who is a SWAT team member since joining CPD in April 2009 - was recognized for making 39 DUI arrests.
Officer Christopher Melton, a Ceres officer since 2004, made 26 arrests last year.
Officer Brittney England - who became a full-time Ceres officer in July 2011 - made 25 DUI arrests.
Each officer was presented a plaque, challenge coins, and "23152" pins for their uniforms. The California Vehicle Code section for driving under the influence is 23152 and the pin is red in color to symbolize MADD's mission: to represent the victims of impaired driving crashes and specifically for peace officers, to memorialize and honor those officers who have been injured and killed in impaired driving collisions.
All three recipients of 23152 pins are currently assigned to patrol.
"DUI enforcement has been this agency's priority for many years," said Police Chief Art deWerk. "That priority reflects the grave danger that these intoxicated and drugged motorists create for innocent people with whom they share the roads. These officers have excelled in the field of DUI enforcement and it makes me proud. I very much appreciate, as does the rest of the community, that these officers have done so much to keep our streets safe."
At a luncheon held at the Ripon Community Center, Valley law enforcement personnel were recognized by the California Office of Traffic Safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for their contributions to help stop the crime of driving under the influence last year.
Officer Freddie Ortiz - who is a SWAT team member since joining CPD in April 2009 - was recognized for making 39 DUI arrests.
Officer Christopher Melton, a Ceres officer since 2004, made 26 arrests last year.
Officer Brittney England - who became a full-time Ceres officer in July 2011 - made 25 DUI arrests.
Each officer was presented a plaque, challenge coins, and "23152" pins for their uniforms. The California Vehicle Code section for driving under the influence is 23152 and the pin is red in color to symbolize MADD's mission: to represent the victims of impaired driving crashes and specifically for peace officers, to memorialize and honor those officers who have been injured and killed in impaired driving collisions.
All three recipients of 23152 pins are currently assigned to patrol.
"DUI enforcement has been this agency's priority for many years," said Police Chief Art deWerk. "That priority reflects the grave danger that these intoxicated and drugged motorists create for innocent people with whom they share the roads. These officers have excelled in the field of DUI enforcement and it makes me proud. I very much appreciate, as does the rest of the community, that these officers have done so much to keep our streets safe."
