The swearing in of two new full-time police officers brings the City of California Police Department to eight officers, the number approved by the California Board of Aldermen.
Newest on the full-time police force is Keith Strutton. He served with the Cole County Sheriff's department for 15 years and, for the Missouri Sheriff's Association, served as instructor in general law enforcement and defense tactics. Strutton, a California High School graduate, is from Latham.
Jeff Fitzwater moved from being a California reserve officer to a full-time CPD officer about two weeks ago. He finished high school in Ohio and began his law enforcement career in 2001 in South Carolina. Following his relocation to Missouri, he worked with the Cole County Sheriff's Department and, for several years, served as Recreation Officer for the Missouri Department of Corrections.
Both of the new CPD officers expressed appreciation for the city. "I love the area," said Strutton. "I really like the community policing aspect of the department," said Fitzwater.
The department offers several services for the community in addition to regular policing. Project Night Eyes, Business Watch and Vacation Watch are three of these. Other services offered include a MedReturn box in the office for collection of outdated or needed prescription medications, training classes for local private and government organizations and a system for business security update emails.
The police department facility is in the California City Hall building and is designated "Police Department" by letters on the east side of the building.