New fulltime Escalon Police Officer Jesus Rodriguez was recently introduced at a meeting of the city council.

“Since his hire date, Officer Rodriguez has transitioned from reserve officer to full time officer. So, I took the opportunity to have his wife pin him as the newest full-time officer of the department,” Police Chief Gustavo Flores said of presenting Rodriguez to the council and audience attending the meeting. “I also introduced to council our newest Reserve Officer, John Walls. He was pinned by his wife.”

With the recent promotion of Flores from sergeant to Chief of Police, there was a vacancy in the sergeant’s position.

“We conducted internal interviews and Field Training Officer Jose Zambrana was promoted to sergeant,” explained Flores. “This created a vacancy with line officers so I was able to take a candidate from the eligibility list and move him from reserve officer to full time officer. Officer James Murray will be the newest full-time officer.”

A badge pinning is planned at an upcoming council meeting for Murray, while Flores said he also plans to introduce a new reserve office at that session as well, with the department continuing to add officers.

“Currently our staffing level is two officers per shift. I have my sergeants working late morning to early night,” said Flores. “Once I get Officer Murray on board, it will help the first half of the week with two officers during the day time, giving the sergeant time to do sergeant duties.”

The department also continues to offer its volunteer program and residents interested in that can contact Sergeant Anthony Hardgraves via email at rhardgraves@cityofescalon.org or by telephone at 209-691-7358.

“Or they can come into the police department and talk to Office Specialist Brianna Reimann at the front desk to request a volunteer application,” Flores said.

They can also call for more information, 209-691-7314.