Palm Springs Police Officers Association Honors Citizens
The Palm Springs Police Officers Association honored police officers, citizens and volunteers at their annual Christmas get-together at Melvyn's at the Ingleside Inn.
The recognition comes for those whose efforts "stand out in the community and our department," said Sergeant Mitch Spike in a news release.
This year's award recipients:
Citizens of the Year: Diane & George Marantz. For the past 27 yrs, Diane and George have been strong supporters of the Police Department and the K-9 program. They have devoted time, energy and financial support to the K-9 unit including providing training materials for the bomb dogs and have donated an estimated $35,000 in equipment and labor for the renovation of the K-9 training field.
Volunteers of the Year: Nate and Gerri Israelson. These two volunteers have been a part of the PSPD family for many years. Over the years, Nate and Gerri have participated in many different volunteer positions throughout the department. Their dedicated service, devotion, determination and commitment to this Department have not gone unnoticed.
Classified (non sworn) Employee of the Year: Erlinda Blas. She is a Community Service Officer who has established a reputation for always working hard and being willing to help out. "She is always there when our officers need assistance with their duties, especially traffic collision investigations," notes Sgt. Spike.
Reserve Officer of the Year: Mike Volpone. He's a longtime member of the search and rescue team and lately has become a much needed additional officer (reserve) for the downtown bike unit. He is there nearly every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, the busiest nights and stays until the nightclubs are closed. When the Department was short of funds, he purchased his own bicycle and outfitted it out of his own pocket," Spike said. "He has been a real asset to the bike unit and the department as a whole."
Officer of the Year: In alphabetical order, the nominees were: Frank Browning, Melissa Desmarais and Gil Fernandez.
"We are fortunate to have such a talented and professional group of officers serving this community and any one of them would be an excellent choice for the Officer of the Year Award," said Spike.
"By vote of the officers, Melissa Desmarais was chosen for this award.
"Officer Desmarais stands out in her assignment as a Motor Officer, Traffic Collision Investigator and Field Training Officer for the traffic unit."
Along with Officer Jimenez, Officer Desmarais has resurrected the department's Explorer Post program and received an award for her efforts with the Explorer program from the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce Officer Appreciation annual ceremony.
"As the Treasurer of the PSPOA, Officer Desmarais, along with her other responsibilities, did an outstanding job of maintaining our association books, including accounts payable, accounts receivable and helped in many fundraising activities," Spike said in the news release.
"Officer Desmarais was recently honored and asked to speak at Chapman University, to their �Women in Criminal Justice' program and has received multiple letters of appreciation for her detailed reports and her professionalism."