RPD Welcomes Four New Employees Says Goodbye to Longtime Volunteer Patrol Member

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City of Redlands

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The Redlands Police Department welcomed four new employees. From left: Police Chief Mark Garcia, Officer Jonathan James, dispatcher Shannon Daugherty, part-time camera operator Charles Merrill and camera operator Taylor Shuey.

The Redlands Police Department welcomed four new employees, including a new police officer, during a December ceremony. The following employees were welcomed: Taylor Shuey, camera operator Shuey joined the department as a Police Explorer in June 2007 and was named Police Explorer of the Year in 2009. He left the Explorer Post in 2011 with the rank of explorer sergeant. He was a cadet in the Redlands Emergency Services Academy in 2010 and is currently attending the University of Redlands, majoring in government and psychology, and plans on graduating in April. Shuey was hired as a criminologist intern his freshman year of college and was later hired as a research assistant. In November 2012, he was named the city of Redlands Part-time Employee of the Year, and although ineligible to receive the award for a second time, he was nominated again in 2013 for part-time employee of the year. He volunteered as an intern to the chief’s office this summer and continues his volunteer work when he can find time around school and his newly assigned position as camera operator. Charles Merrill, part-time camera operator Merrill began his journey with the Redlands Police Department as an Explorer in June 2010. He currently holds the rank of Explorer lieutenant and has volunteered more than 3,500 hours to the community. He was selected as the Explorer of Year in 2012. Merrill has several commendations for ride-along hours, good conduct and excellence. In addition to his new position as camera operator, he is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in business administration. Shannon Daugherty, dispatcher Until 2007, Daugherty had spent her whole adult life working in some capacity with the La Habra Police Department. She started there as a cadet and then became a community service officer. During her career, she became a part-time dispatcher and spent several years out of her career as a CSO due to emergency reasons, vacations and maternity leave. She left in 2007 to start a Livescan fingerprinting business that she still runs from her home. After raising her two children, she applied to once again work for a police department. So far, she has enjoyed her training at the Redlands Police Department and looks forward to getting settled and learning more and more about the city. Police Officer Jonathan James James was hired by the city of San Bernardino in October 2007 and graduated from the San Bernardino County Sheriffs’ Academy in March of 2008. He worked for five years and four months as an officer, primarily assigned to patrol in the west, south and east districts. In 2012, he was assigned for nine months as a district resource officer, focusing on proactive problem-oriented policing. In August 2013, he applied to join the Redlands Police Department and has since successfully completed the training program and is now a patrol officer. Retirement of CVP Marty Handleman The Redlands Police Department also recognized an individual who is retiring from the Citizen Volunteer Patrol after dedicating more than 24 years of volunteer service to the department. Handleman became a Citizen Volunteer Patrol member after graduating from the department’s very first Citizen Volunteer Patrol Academy. Handleman was born in New York City, and moved to California when he was 7 years old. He graduated from Cal State Northridge with a major in music education. He taught instrumental music for 36 years in the public schools of Lancaster, Newhall and San Bernardino. Most of his teaching career was spent with San Bernardino Unified School District. Concurrently, he taught private music lessons for over 50 years. In addition, he has been an adjudicator with Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association for the past 45 years. In that capacity, he judged the performance of school bands and orchestras in various school districts. In his “spare time,” Handleman continues to volunteer at Redlands Community Hospital where he has been for the past 15 years. Be sure to read the Redlands City News in coming editions to read more about individuals and businesses honored by the RPD at the Dec. 10 ceremony! Find us online at www.citynewsgroup.com > Redlands.