CPD officers recognized, promoted

CRESTVIEW — Several Crestview Police officers were recognized for promotion and others for their service to the community during the agency’s Aug. 30 General Assembly.

“I am proud of how far our police department has come in five years,” Mayor David Cadle said during brief remarks at the gathering praising Chief Tony Taylor and his officers.

The mayor said while complaints about officers were once a regular occurrence, “I’ve only received one this entire year.”

Taylor reviewed the agency’s accomplishments that have occurred since he assumed the chief’s badge five years ago. These included achieving accreditation, streamlining a previously cumbersome and bloated command structure, establishing written criteria for officers’ advancement, reconstituting the K9 Division, and restoring the public’s trust in the department.

Obtaining raises for officers through tightening the department’s budget while still finding means of equipping patrol officers with new side arms, Tasers and body cameras, and placing the department’s patrol fleet on a rotating maintenance and/or replacement schedule for the first time were also among achievements the chief cited.

Several officers were also recognized during the General Assembly, including three who received promotions to sergeant at the beginning of the year:

• Investigator Ralph Garrett, officer of the year for 2016

• Sgt. Josh Grace, promotion to sergeant

• Sgt. Lucas Kraus, promotion to sergeant

• Sgt. Brian McCallum, promotion to sergeant

• Patrol Officer Corey Newcomb, officer of the quarter, January through March

• K9 Officer Shane Kaiser, officer of the quarter, April through June

“I’m proud of these guys and how far we’ve come as an agency,” Chief Taylor said.