Cortez promoted to lieutenant at SBPD

(Staff photo by Heather Cathleen Cox)
Lieutenant Michael Cortez of the San Benito Police Department is seen (left) at the station on Monday with Operations Chief Martin Morales Jr., who promoted Cortez from sergeant.

By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com

Michael Cortez continues to climb up the ranks at the San Benito Police Department.

On Monday, July 29, Cortez was promoted from SBPD Sergeant to Lieutenant.

Eager to step into his new role, Cortez, 31, elaborated on what he may be able to expect going forward in the department. “As you go up the chain within the department, you’re overseeing more in a broader sense, not just the people (who work) under you. New responsibilities may come my way, and I’m going to try to keep on doing what I’ve been doing.”

SBPD Chief of Operations, Martin Morales, said he was pleased to promote Cortez, who’s been employed with the department for 11 years and was among three qualified candidates who recently tested for the lieutenant position. “Cortez received the highest grade and was thereby selected for the promotion,” Morales said.

Morales expanded on important character traits for an officer, traits the chief believes that Cortez possesses. “Right off the bat, there is honesty and a high level of integrity that comes with Michael Cortez. If he’s assigned a task, I know it will get done in a professional manner,” said Morales.

Regarding his plans for the future, Cortez said with excitement, “The opportunity to change things as a whole is great with a higher rank.”

“I see further growth in him for the future. I think he’s more than capable of handling this job,” Morales added. “A person of his caliber and with his education background, he has all the ingredients necessary to be very successful.”

Cortez shared that his success was not attained without those who are most important to him. “I attribute everything (I have achieved) to my faith, my family and my upbringing,” Cortez said with a smile. “I am very blessed and humbled to be where I am now.”

The department expects to fill the vacant sergeant position in August, after qualifying officers have tested for the promotion.

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