Ukiah, CA – Cesar Mendoza is a Foundation scholarship awardee who attended Police Academy in Santa Rosa for a year-long training program starting in January 2016. On December 12, 2016, he was sworn in as an officer by Ukiah Police Chief Chris Dewey, with two other new officers in a ceremony at City Hall. Proud family, friends and supporters were on hand to witness the milestone event. Cesar (second from left) is bilingual and active in the local community.

Photo by J. Orth

Brooktrails, CA – January 2, 2017: To start the year off right, our website is back up and running. The blog was down for a few weeks, unfortunately, and several postings were lost. Looking ahead, we’ll make up for that with new ones as 2017 unfolds. On behalf of the foundation directors, have a happy, safe and peaceful New Year! Stay tuned for more news of the Mendocino Public Safety Foundation.

Ukiah, CA – April 15, 2016: Mendocino Public Safety Foundation’s latest Annual Report is out. At our board meeting of March 17, everyone pitched in and stuffed envelopes for mailing to the membership. Have you received yours? Highlights include updates on scholarships to local young people aspiring to be peace officers in Mendocino County; the latest K-9 to join local forces; and a Foundation financial report. Continue for a quick link to View pdf report now.

Some of our volunteers at work preparing mail:

Ukiah, CA – January 12, 2016:

Cesar Mendoza of Ukiah started classes today at Santa Rosa Junior College police academy.  At the Foundation’s December 17 meeting, the Board received Cesar’s request with a personal interview and a strong endorsement from Chief Dewey. Financial support was unanimously approved, in expectation that he will graduate from the one-year program and join the Ukiah Police Department.

Cesar is a well-known local athlete who is fluent in English and Spanish. He works during the day at Home Depot and goes to police academy in the evenings. Ukiah’s population is approximately 40 percent Spanish speaking, and the police department has about 20 percent bilingual staff, so Cesar will be a welcome asset when he completes his training.

Photo: Cesar Mendoza in his cadet uniform

Ukiah, CA – December 17, 2015:

At its regular meeting, the Mendocino Public Safety Foundation considered a grant request from the Fort Bragg Police Department to restart its K9 program, which had expired with the retirement of the only officer who had handled their canine (K9) and run the program.

After a presentation by Chief Fabian Lizarraga and Lieutenant Charles Gilchrist, the Foundation board unanimously approved a grant of $11,500 to start up the K9 program. A source and dog and have identified, with training for its handler included in the cost.

“We currently have three highly motivated, well trained Police Officers who are already attending training with the Sheriff’s Office to lay the ground work for selecting a future K9 handler,” wrote Lt. Gilchrist in a letter to the Foundation. “We would like to purchase a dual-purpose K9 trained in protection and narcotics detection. A K9 of this nature would be a force multiplier available to use in a myriad of situations. It would also be trained to be kid and people friendly when attending community or school events.”

It has been proven that the presence of a police dog, serving as a K9 officer, can help protect other officers and the public, prevent a situation from escalating into violence, and depending on their training may detect dangerous or illicit substances such as bombs or narcotics.

Photo courtesy of Fort Bragg Police Department

Ukiah, CA – December 5, 2015: Damien Angel took the oath at the Sheriff’s training center in a group swearing-in ceremony, after graduating from the extended Police Academy program. The Foundation paid for the final two months of his year-long program, enabling him to complete the training.

Sheriff Tom Allman stood by as badges were pinned to the newly sworn officers.

Photos by Sherry Glavich

Ryan Kelly of Ukiah graduated from Police Academy in September, at the Santa Rosa campus. Sheriff Tom Allman and Foundation board member Roger Foote attended the ceremony.

Ryan started the training course in May, with a loan of $6,800 from the Mendocino Public Safety Foundation for tuition and expenses. He looks forward to work as a sheriff’s deputy here. Under the scholarship program guidelines, the loan is to be forgiven after three years of service.

Ryan Kelly is the fifth scholarship loan recipient under the Foundation’s program. Our near-term goal is to fund at least six more scholarships for local residents to attend policy academy and go to work as officers in Mendocino County. The program will fund up to $11,000 each to qualified candidates. For more information, see our brochure in the sidebar of this webpage.

Photo provided by Roger Foote

Our new Facebook page went live on May 11, 2015. Visit us for the latest Mendocino Public Safety Foundation news on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/ProtectMendocino

Thanks to all who “like” us so far!