San Benito Police Department Operations Chief Martin Morales is pictured at the station with newly promoted Sergeant Mario Perea (left) and Lieutenant Rene Garcia (right). (Staff photo by Heather Cathleen Cox)
By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
“Times are changing,” said San Benito Police Chief of Operations Martin Morales on Monday, November 19, as he promoted two officers within the department, one to lieutenant and the other to sergeant.
After seven years of service, Mario Perea was promoted from his rank of K9 officer to sergeant. Perea explained a total of 25 eligible officers tested for the promotion in June.
“It feels good to get this promotion,” said Perea, who mentioned that his family is proud of and celebrates this accomplishment alongside him.
Former Sergeant Rene T. Garcia has been with SBPD for 20 years. His promotion to lieutenant means a great deal to him. Garcia said, “I feel great about this. I feel like I worked hard for it.”
Morales began the promotion ceremony by explaining to the two law enforcement officers that this is a turning point in their careers. While Morales took the opportunity to congratulate both men on their achievement, saying, “I wish you all the best,” he also explained that holding a higher rank increases their level of responsibility.
Morales shared his confidence in both Perea and Garcia and said he believes they will “faithfully execute their duties.” Both Perea and Garcia were sworn into their new offices and provided with new badges, of sergeant and lieutenant respectively.
Perea, of Rio Hondo, said his first course of duty as a sergeant is to implement a “more aggressive and protective patrol.”
Like Perea, Garcia also wants to see “more patrol on the streets.” Garcia said, “I want to provide great service to the public.”
Garcia, who is looking forward to stepping into this new role, said he is enthusiastic about the challenges associated with becoming a lieutenant.
In addition to the two new officers hired last week and the two promotions on Monday, the upcoming months could see at least three more new officer hires and several additional inner-department promotions. Morales said, “We’re starting to see new faces, and we’re still not done. We have two more lieutenant positions. We’re also going to promote to captain.”
The department has been involved in a hiring process since summer. What started as nearly 100 applicants has dwindled down to eight candidates, awaiting final interviews which have not yet been scheduled but may be conducted after the Thanksgiving holiday.
The chief said his department is continuing to become stronger, and added, “We are more united than we have been before. Of course, the promotions are something for everyone to look forward to.”
Read this story in the Nov. 21 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
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