For anyone that has ever worked for a law enforcement agency, they know that one of the necessary “evils” of applying for any job with a police department is the dreaded background investigation. Applicants are often intimidated and scared of the whole background process and often times these unnecessary fears lead to the omission of certain items that may not have been that big of a deal if they had just been listed in the background documents. The background process with the Oxnard Police Department is a straightforward process that is aimed at identifying the best candidates for each position.

Candidates for the position of Entry Level Police Officer (Public Safety Trainee) are first asked to complete a “Pre-Employment Questionnaire.” This is a 7-page document that gives us a snapshot of the candidate’s work history, education, drug and alcohol use, past criminal activity, and other items of interest. This document is used as a screening tool for the Department and allows us to identify those candidates that we wish to have continue in the background process. Those candidates that successfully pass that portion of the process are then asked to complete a P.O.S.T. Personal History Statement (PHS). This is a 30+ page document that asks candidates to provide detailed information on a wide range of areas in their life. This completed PHS is then given to a background investigator who conducts a 6-8 week investigation into all of the areas identified in the PHS. Candidates should expect to have their friends, family members, and neighbors contacted during this process (To view a copy of the PHS, please go to http://www.post.ca.gov/forms/2-251-phsPeaceOfficers.doc).

Upon the successful completion of the background investigation, the final phase of the background process is a polygraph examination. A licensed polygrapher will conduct an examination of each applicant which will include the review of various items in the background investigation. These polygraph examiners are highly-skilled and very knowledgable in the use of counter-measures by candidates to defeat polygraph examinations so candidates should not be deceptive in any manner during the examination. Upon successful completion of the polygraph examination, candidates will have successfully passed the background process and move one step closer to becoming an Oxnard Police Officer.

The areas in which candidates are most often disqualified from the application process are: Deception, Excessive Drug use, Poor Driving Record, and Past Criminal Behavior. While none of the latter three are automatic disqualifiers, Deception will always get you disqualified from the process. We encourage all candidates to be honest throughout the process. We would much rather be able to investigate and discuss a sensitive matter with a candidate than discover that they attempted to hide it or lie about it. There is zero tolerance for lying!!!

We encourage anyone interested in a career in law enforcement to apply for any of the various positions within the Oxnard Police Department. Please don’t ever let the fear of a background process hold you back. We work with all of the candidates to make it as painless and easy as possible.

DETAILS: Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department arrested a third suspect in the 2006 murder of Octavio Lopez and attempted murder of three additional individuals who suffered gunshot wounds during the September 4, 2006 attack. Twenty Five (25) year old Alejandro “Alex” Salas was arrested Monday afternoon at the Ventura County Jail where he was in custody for a Parole violation.

Salas is the third person who has been arrested for the murder of Lopez and attempted murder of the three other individuals who suffered gunshot wounds during the attack. Brothers Lino, 25 years, and Alvino Hernandez, 27 years were arrested for murder on January 18, 2008. Detectives have reason to believe that several additional people have conspired to try and create an alibi for Salas’s whereabouts at the time of the shooting. The investigation is continuing with the possibility of additional arrests of those people who continue to be untruthful with detectives.

On June 4, 2008 Officer Richard Marquez and Officer Eric Alinaya received the Oxnard Police Department Medal of Merit pin from Chief Crombach for their actions during an officer involved shooting on April 15, 2008. On that date, Officer Richard Marquez, Officer Eric Alinaya, Officer Raymund Mosones and Officer Jon Keller were working as part of the Special Enforcement Unit. These officers were conducting a surveillance regarding information they had received of a gang member being in possession of two handguns and selling narcotics from a residence. The surveillance of the residence confirmed that the suspect was standing outside the home. When Officer Marquez and Officer Alinaya attempted to contact the suspect he immediately fled, discarded a firearm, and entered the residence. As the officers attempted to force entry into the home they were met with gunfire from a second suspect who was also armed. Officer Marquez quickly returned fire at this suspect protecting Officer Alinaya and himself.

Officer Mosones and Officer Keller quickly arrived to assist their teammates. They quickly set up a perimeter around the home keeping the suspects from fleeing. Shortly thereafter the two suspects were taken into custody.

Officer Marquez, Officer Alinaya, Officer Mosones and Officer Keller’s actions while confronting the two armed violent suspects put them at risk of great harm. Their brave and professional demeanor during this potentially life threatening situation earned Officer Marquez and Officer Alinaya the Medal of Merit, and Officer Mosones and Officer Keller Letters of Commendation.

Officer Marquez and Officer Alinaya will be formally recognized for their actions and receive the actual medal during the annual Employee Recognition Awards Luncheon in April of 2009. They will also receive the POAVC Medal of Merit in 2009.

On Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at 1000 hours, The City of Oxnard and the Oxnard Police Department welcome you to the ninth annual Police Memorial Ceremony. The ceremony will occur in front of the Public Safety Building, at Third and C Streets, Downtown Oxnard.

This week of May 11-17 is National Police Memorial Week. It has been so designated for the past 46 years.

In Oxnard, California, we pay tribute to all of the Law Enforcement Officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, but particularly we are here to honor our own fallen, our seven Oxnard Officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty over the past century. They each made the ultimate sacrifice while proudly wearing the badge of the Oxnard Police Department while working to keep this City safe.

The fallen Officers are:

• Deputy Constable Andrew M. McNaughton
• Constable William E. Kelley
• Officer Albert Gasperetti
• Officer Frederick J. Clark
• Senior Officer John Adair
• Officer James E. O’Brien
• Officer James R. Jensen, Jr.

More details about these fallen officers can be found on our memorial page.

For further information, contact Sergeant David Villanueva, at (805) 385-7777, or email davidvillanueva@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: 

Senior Officer Robin Whitney was recognized by the Oxnard City Council as the City’s Employee of the Quarter at their April 8, 2008 meeting. The award is for the first quarter of 2008, and requires a nomination, followed by a careful review by a City committee.

Senior Officer Whitney is currently assigned to the Domestic Violence Investigations Detail. In his nomination, a number of Senior Officer Whitney’s colleagues provided personal input. The following are excerpts that serve as testimony to his exceptional work and character:

Robin continues to exemplify the meaning of Police Officer

On April 1st representatives from the Oxnard Police Department participated in the Oxnard Union High School District’s 23rd Annual Career Fair at the Performing Arts Center. There were representatives from our Records, Traffic, Dispatch and Professional Standards Division. There were also Community Service Officers and Youth Service Officers present.

The department wanted to be involved in the fair in order to educate the public and also to start recruiting for the future of our industry. There are several jobs within the police department that have minimum requirements of a high school diploma or GED and a drivers license, such as our Public Safety Dispatcher positions. In addition, we have an explorer program for people ages 14-21, who are interested in learning more about law enforcement.

There were approximately 900 high school age students in attendance exploring a variety of career options. They asked a lot of great questions and seemed to walk away with some ideas for what they can do with their future.

There were a wide variety of career options at the fair everything from Six Flags Amusement Parks to the United States Navy to large animal veterinarians. Everyone brought fun and interactive displays for the students and there were a lot of prizes and giveaways.

The event was co-sponsored by the Oxnard Rotary Club and the OUHSD Educational Partnership Program. They also received a lot of help from the high school clubs and organizations. They did a wonderful job organizing the event, providing refreshments and checking with each vendor to see if they needed water, additional chairs and tables or any other support.

Join us at the 2008 Oxnard Police Department Employee Recognition Awards Luncheon. The ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott, 600 Esplanade Drive, Oxnard.

The awards presented will include:

• POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR
• CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
• SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR
• DISPATCHER OF THE YEAR
• MEDAL OF MERIT
• M.A.D.D. (DRUNK DRIVING) AWARD
• 10851 (STOLEN VEHICLE) AWARD
• CHIEF’S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

The event is hosted by the Oxnard Kiwanis Club of Oxnard. Lunch is $20 per person (payable at the door), but reservations are required. Please contact Lupe Moreno at (805) 385-7761 or LupeMoreno@OxnardPD.org to reserve your seat today!

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DETAILS: 

If anyone has information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Kujawa at 385-7547 or Crime Stoppers at 385-TALK.

An investigation is continuing.