The Redlands Police Department recently held a ceremony to swear in three newly hired police officers, one newly hired dispatcher and two newly promoted police corporals. Chief of Police Mark A. Garcia also recognized several groups and individuals for their contributions and volunteer service to the department. The ceremony was held Wednesday, June 28, at the Redlands Police Annex.
Newly promoted Cpl. Matthew Friesen joined the Redlands Police Department in 2014 after five years at the Banning Police Department. He was promoted to corporal in January. Friesen recently rotated from patrol to the Investigative Services Bureau where he serves as a detective.
During his career at RPD, Friesen has been recognized with several commendations from members of the community for his courteous, polite manner and professionalism.
Friesen graduated from California Baptist University with a degree in behavioral science and holds an advanced POST certificate.
Newly promoted Cpl. Elyzabeth Green joined the Redlands Police Department as an officer in 2005. She was promoted to corporal in April. Green has worked various assignments, including patrol and community policing, and has served as a member of the RPD Honor Guard since 2010.
Green holds a bachelor’s degree in social science from Cal State San Bernardino and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Redlands.
Newly hired personnel sworn in during the ceremony include Police Officers Richard Plascencia, who had previously worked as a deputy for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department since 2014. He has an associate’s degree in liberal studies from Chaffey College.
Police Officer Laurel Falconieri came to the Redlands Police Department after working as a deputy for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for the past year and a half. She possesses a bachelor’s degree in social science, with a double minor in women’s studies and anthropology.
Officer Nicholas Koahou joins the RPD after seven years as an officer with the San Bernardino Police Department and, prior to that, four years in the United States Marine Corps. He possesses a POST Advanced Certificate and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in public administration from California Baptist University.
As an officer with the San Bernardino Police Department, Koahou was one of the first responders on Dec. 2, 2015, when terrorists attacked the Inland Regional Center, killing 14 people and injuring 22 others. During a gun battle between police and the terrorists, Koahou left his position of cover to provide assistance to a fellow officer who was under heavy fire. Koahou sustained a bullet wound to his leg but continued to return fire at the suspects. After being treated for his injuries, Koahou refused to be evacuated and remained to assist until the other officer had been safely evacuated. Koahou was recognized for his heroic actions that day with the California Medal of Valor.
Dispatcher Rachael Davison joined the Redlands Police Department after working for the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino and Harkins Mountain Grove Movie Theaters, where she learned customer service skills she plans to put to use in her new position. Davison holds an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy.
Hangar 24 Charities and The Literacy Club were recognized for their partnership with the Redlands Police Department in creating the Redlands Police Department’s Mobile Book Plane, a trailer that is officially registered as a Little Free Library.
A design team consisting of representatives from RPD, Hangar 24 Charities and The Literacy Club created the concept of an enclosed trailer that could be transformed into a mobile book plane with features similar to RPD’s own RedHawk1 fixed wing air support. The design team purchased a fully enclosed trailer and completely outfitted it with bookshelves to make it appear as if it were the interior of a plane. The Literacy Club constructed a mobile book cart in the shape of a plane that can be used to display books near the book plane. Tables in the shape of wings were built to attach to the book mobile, offering children a place to easily sit down and read. To add the finishing touches, the design team wrapped the trailer with a covering that transforms it from a trailer into a mobile book aircraft.
Police staff take the trailer to various community events, allowing youth the chance to enhance their reading skills while creating a positive environment for their interactions with police officers.
The construction and wrapping of the “plane” was funded by Hangar 24 Charities. The Literacy Club supplied more than 1,000 new books and has agreed to continue to provide books to restock the shelves at a sharply discounted price.
The Book Plane was unveiled at the annual Redlands Hangar 24 AirFest, where more than a thousand children eagerly interacted with law enforcement and left with a new book of their own.
On Wednesday, Sue Cook, of Hangar 24 Charities, pledged an additional $2,500 to purchase 2,000 additional books. Cook and The Literacy Club’s Douglas Chadwick and Christopher Pollard were presented certificates of recognition.
Alex and Bruce Woodcock were also honored for their volunteer efforts nearly every Tuesday creating professional pet portraits of animals available for adoption at the Redlands Animal Shelter. The portraits are shared with potential adopters through the news media and social media.
The works of art the Woodcocks create are far from the typical shelter animal photos of scared or nervous dogs huddled at the back of a kennel or a terrified cat crouching away from the bars of a cattery cage. They often incorporate cute props and themed backdrops, and the fun, full-of-character photos truly reflect the personalities of the animals and their adoptability. The photos allow for an emotional connection between the pet and the prospective owner before they even meet.
Alex and Bruce each have a special way of communicating and handling the animals at the Shelter, many already traumatized by being lost, abandoned or surrendered and thrust into unfamiliar surroundings. Bruce coaxes the animals and provides loving attention to make them feel safe and comfortable while Alex captures the sweet, vivid pictures. Their patience, gentleness and affection are unmatchable, and their tag team efforts make them the perfect pet photography team.
Their work has contributed to improving the image of the Redlands Animal Shelter and helped support higher adoption rates by helping countless animals find their forever homes.
Chief Garcia introduced pastors Felix Jones and Anthony Green and Bishop Jackie Green as volunteer members of the department’s newly formed RPD Clergy Advisory Council.
Members of the department were also recognized for their participation in the California Highway Patrol’s Every 15 Minutes, an emotionally-charged program designed to dramatically instill in teenagers the potentially dangerous consequences of drinking alcohol or texting while driving. With the support from the City of Redlands, Redlands Police Department, Redlands Fire Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office and many other community partners and affiliates, the program has been very successful in reaching high school aged teenagers in the community.
The first day of the two-day program is highlighted by a simulated traffic collision at a local high school involving an impaired teenage driver and a fatally injured victim. The event includes emergency responses from police, fire, ambulance, coroner, public works and tow truck companies, just as an actual collision would require. The program concludes on the second day with a mock funeral and assembly for students of the school. Every 15 Minutes has had a profound impact on many local students and left lasting impressions.
This year RPD was recognized by the California Assembly and Senate for their involvement in the Every 15 Minutes program at Redlands High School.
Department personnel recognized Wednesday included Community Service Officers Corinne Lane and Tim Edson, dispatcher Annette DeWoody, Officers Daniel Cherpin, Dave Frisch, Brad Grantz and Chris Mead and CVP Gary McCormick.
Anyone with information regarding crime or suspicious activity is asked to contact Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681 ext. 1. Certain non-emergency crimes may also be reported online using the Redlands Police Department’s CopLogic reporting system at cityofredlands.org/police/report. Suspicious activity and tips can be reported using the Redlands Police Department mobile app available for android, iPhones and iPads.
Redlands Police press releases and other information are available on the Redlands Police Department Facebook page at www.facebook.com/redlandspolicedepartment or on the Department website at www.redlandspolice.org