CLEARLAKE — The first officer to participate in the Clearlake Police Department”s new Police Trainee program has been sworn in. Officer Melissa Reed took her oath on May 27 and is currently in her second phase of field training.
Chief Allan McClain introduced the Police Trainee Program in December 2007 in answer to the department”s high turnover rate in officer and dispatcher positions. To address the high vacancy rates, the department developed non-traditional methods of outreach and recruitment in order to further expand efforts to attract and retain qualified employees. Furthermore, the program assists in the reduction of costs associated with the recruitment and training of new officers.
“I think this is a great program and I love seeing this,” commented Vice Mayor Chuck Leonard during McClain”s update report to the city council on July 24.
The program provides an opportunity to hire individuals prior to their attendance in a police academy or after they are enrolled in one. The trainees start as part-time, non-sworn employees. According to McClain, this saves the city money during the training period and protects the city from public safety worker compensation claims if the person is injured while attending the academy.
Officer Reed was the first candidate selected to participate in the program. She was hired on Jan. 7 and attended the Santa Rosa Police Academy. Reed graduated from the academy on May 23 and was sworn in as CPD officer four days later. She graduated with an overall score of 91 percent.
Since being sworn in, Reed has completed the department”s initial orientation program and is currently in her second phase of the Field Training Officer program.
“Melissa has done an outstanding job up to this point in her training and I have no doubt she will be an excellent officer for years to come,” McClain commended. “I do not believe we could have picked a better individual as our first police trainee. Melissa has performed above expectations and has shown the talent we have in our community.”
Reed is married and has three children. She and her family have lived in Clearlake since 2004.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
