Brea, California Police Department

The Brea Police Department is a city agency that serves as the law enforcement for the Southern California cities of Brea and Yorba Linda. There have only been two police officers from this agency to have ever fallen in the line of duty, and neither instance was the result of a vehicular collision, aggravated assault, or gunfire (typical reasons for CHP for example).

The Yorba Linda Star

The Yorba Linda Star, which [http://yorbalindahistory.org/star/ started in 1917] , is now a part of the O.C. Register (although it is still physically separately published): in recent editions there have been selected crimes published for each of Yorba Linda's three geographical [http://epaper.ocregister.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=OCW&BaseHref=OCWYorbaLindaStar/2008/05/22&EntityId=Pc00603&ViewMode=HTML zones] , which are divided essentially equally from West to East. The Star's website states that "the Police Report contains selected items from the complaint log of the Brea Police Department, which serves Yorba Linda... [and was] compiled by Erin Welch."

History

The history of the law enforcement in Brea goes back to a time before the city was incorporated. On March 8, 1916, George Bird was appointed the first constable of the town of Brea. He served as constable until 1920, walking a foot-beat downtown with a badge and stick. His job was multi-faceted: He was paid $50 per month for policing and keeping order, $25 as the street superintendent, $10 as the tax collector, and $5 as the pound master ($90.00 total). Most streets were dirt. There were 44 automobiles registered in the town in 1916. At the same time, Isaac Craig was appointed Justice of the Peace. His office and "chambers" were located in his home at 338 N. Orange. The city of Brea was incorporated on February 23, 1917. Within a week, Harry Winchell was appointed the first City Marshall. Winchell's son, H.N. "Frog" Winchell (who died recently) was usually at his father's side during patrols. There were 106 autos registered in Brea the first year of incorporation. I.N. Hurst took over as City Marshall on January 1, 1919, when the city's population was 1,491. Legend reports he was well known for the effective use of his cane in gaining compliance while enforcing the law. Typical crimes for the time included keeping the railroad workers in line, and dealing with drunken oil field workers.

On March 10, 1932, the Brea Police Department moved into the modern era. Police radios were installed. Chief Ellis of the Fire Department built the radios. Calls received at city hall were diverted to the Los Angeles Police Department and then relayed over the radio to the police officer. This early radio offered no communication between the officers and the police station directly. Brea was only the second city in the state to acquire police radios. Later that year, Carbon Canyon Road (later SR-142) was completed as a paved arterial to the Inland Empire. 1933 was a busy year for the small police department with some unusual occurrences to contend with. On January 11, 80 mph winds buffeted the city. Damages county-wide exceeded $1 million (in 1933 USD). Old-time residents claim it to be the worst windstorm in memory. Then on March 10, the earth shook in what became known as the Long Beach Earthquake. Police and Brea residents assisted victims of that quake for several days, opening homes and shelters for those whose homes had been destroyed. There were three officers in the Brea Police Department in 1938. Imperial Highway was being developed as a major through-way from Los Angeles east. The segment between Brea and Yorba Linda was completed in 1938. The passenger rail line (red car) was discontinued shortly thereafter (there is still an old, antique rail car parked on the south side of Imperial that has been turned into a restaurant and gift shop). With increasing vehicular traffic, the police department purchased a new 1939 Oldsmobile sedan as its first police car.

1949 brought snow to Brea, falling on January 11 and leaving drifts for much of the day in town and more than one day in Carbon Canyon. 1953 saw six sworn officers and eight reserves serving the City of Brea. One year later, there were twelve full time members on the force, including one lieutenant, three sergeants and the three female matrons. In 1955, new, specific requirements were established for employment as an officer. They were: 1 - a high school diploma; and 2 - successfully passing a civil service exam. Floyd Goodell was one of the first hired under these new requirements. In the mid 1950's, the department changed appearances. The navy blue uniforms were scrubbed in favor of khaki uniforms. 1958 saw the reserve force grow to fifteen members. A detective "bureau" was started with the appointment of William Hobbs as the first detective.

1964 was a pivotal year for the Brea Police Department. On January 15, Lieutenant Richard Owen Baugh, Downey P.D., was appointed Chief of Police, receiving a salary of $897.00 per month. He was a 14 year veteran of Downey and L.A.P.D. There were 13 officers on the Force. Recruitment for new officers was ongoing with over 200 men taking a written test on February 17. Several new 1964 Dodge Sedans were purchased for use as patrol cars. Chief Baugh also instituted a new records system at the department in 1964. The police department continued to be involved in community affairs in 1968. Bicycle safety programs, traffic safety programs, and a Boy Scout merit badge program were all offered by department personnel. The Brea Police Explorer Post 822 was formed that year in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America. Cliff Trimble was the first Post Advisor. In 1969, the police cadet program was initiated, with the intention of giving young people experience as they prepare for a career as a police officer.

The City of Yorba Linda, which incorporated in 1967, had been receiving police services from the Orange County Sheriff's Department. After several months of discussions and negotiations between the cities of Yorba Linda and Brea, an agreement was reached to have the Brea Police Department provide police service to Yorba Linda. This was the first time in California history that a municipal police agency provided police protection to another city. Special legislation was passed in Sacramento allowing this unique arrangement. On October 1, 1970, Brea police officers began routine patrols in Yorba Linda. Nine new officers and three new cars were authorized. The Department's Records system was revised to accommodate the new contract. The square Brea city seal, which had been on the doors of the patrol cars, was replaced by a gold badge shield. Thus originated this Department's ongoing relationship with Yorba Linda. Orange County implemented the new state-of-the-art county-wide radio system, the most technically advanced in the nation at the time. It included an eight channel radio and teletype printer in each patrol car, and the capability for officers and dispatchers to communicate with other county police agencies. The system is still in use today. The police department appointed the first School Resource Officer, Joe Morris, in 1972. The S.R.O. worked with school officials, taught safety classes to students, and helped solve problems on school campuses. In 1973, the Brea Police Department scored two "firsts". The "Citizen Contact Tape Recorder" program was instituted through money from a grant. Officers carried a cassette tape recorder on their "Sam Browne" belt and recorded all contacts with the public. This was the first such program in the state. The program continues today, and has been copied by many other agencies and individual officers. And the Department was the first in the state to install blue emergency lights on its patrol cars. The California Highway Patrol was in the final stages of testing the lights for approval when Brea put them on the cars.

A police K-9 program was inaugurated in 1984. Two officers spent weeks in training with their German Shepherd partners. The program later expanded to include three dogs, and continues today. These four-legged officers are able to smell narcotics hidden in vehicles, track suspects, and apprehend suspects instead of using more lethal force. 1987 was a busy year for innovation. The DARE program was instituted in Brea and Yorba Linda schools. Computer Assisted Dispatch (CAD) goes on-line in the Communications Center. Mobile Digital Terminals (MDT) are installed in all patrol vehicles. Officers were now able to check for stolen vehicles and wanted persons from their patrol cars, significantly reducing radio time. And a Records Management System (RMS) was initiated in the Records Division. The computer age had arrived at Brea PD.

On June 19, 1990, the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace opened to the public in Yorba Linda. Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Bush, along with their wives, attended. Several other national and world dignitaries attended. It became a national news event, drawing over 50,000 people. Security requirements and crowd control needs necessitated the use of officers from nearly every police agency in Orange County, as well as the Secret Service and FBI. Over 375 law enforcement personnel were on scene that day, in the largest event ever organized by officers of the Police Department. The Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace was in the forefront of department activities during the next two years. In June, 1993, Pat Nixon, wife of President Nixon, died and was buried at the Library. Several thousand people passed the coffin as it lay in state. Approximately 300 national, world, political, and entertainment industry dignitaries attended the funeral services. Police department officials handled all security and crowd control for the event. Less than a year later, President Nixon died and was buried at the Nixon Library on April 27. His body lay in repose in the afternoon of the 26th and morning of the 27th. It is estimated that 47,000 people passed by the coffin to pay their respects. Eight hour waits were common. President Clinton and former presidents Bush, Reagan, Carter and Ford, and their wives, attended. National and International political figures were at the library, along with world and national news media. 275 officers from Brea and surrounding agencies provided security, traffic, and crowd control.

In May 1995, motorcycle traffic officers adopted the use of "full-face" helmets for safety purposes. This was rather unique in United States law enforcement, although the helmets have been used in other countries for some time. Brea has had a long relationship with its sister city, Lagos de Moreno, Mexico. In September, 1997, Officer Rob Aberle went to Lagos as the first participant in Brea's Police Officer Exchange Program. Officer Aberle stayed there for one month, living with a Lagos de Moreno officer, observing law enforcement in that community, and helping that Department to establish some training in tactics and officer safety techniques.

Today, the Brea Police Department continues to grow and expand to meet the needs for service and law enforcement in Brea and Yorba Linda. Now staffed with 100 sworn officers, 18 reserve officers, and 36 full and part-time civilian employees; and equipped with 28 marked patrol cars, 16 motorcycles, undercover cars, bicycles, computers, advanced weaponry and techniques, members of this Department look forward to continued professional service into the 21st century.

Fallen Heroes

Since the establishment of the Brea Police Department, 2 officers have died in the line of duty. [ [http://www.odmp.org/agency/1365-fullerton-police-department-california The Officer Down Memorial Page] ]

On May 23, 1995, Detective Danny Valenzuela collapsed and died after suffering a heart attack while participating in the departments Bicycle Training in Westminster. He was the first Brea Officer to die in the line of duty (on the job). He had joined the Department in 1980, working as a patrol officer, traffic officer and detective. He was survived by his wife, Jean, and children, Christopher, Sarah, Brian, and Diana. He was buried with honors at Bellevue Cemetery in Ontario on May 27. The Chief, several officers and family members attended the annual California Law Enforcement Memorial ceremonies in Sacramento on May 17 1996, in memory and honor of Detective Valenzuela and all other California Peace Officers who had died in the line of duty. Ironically and tragically, less than one week later, another member of the Brea Police family would die. Detective Terry Fincher was struck and killed by a train on May 22, 1996. Detective Fincher had been searching for a weapon used in an aggravated assault case along the railroad tracks near Esperanza Road in Yorba Linda when a train came around a bend in the tracks. Terry was a 16 year veteran of the Police Department, and had worked as a patrol officer, traffic officer and detective. He was survived by his wife, Brenda, and children, Edie, Erik, Nathan, and Melissa, as well as two grandchildren. He was buried with honors at Rose Hills in Whittier on May 28. Officers and family members traveled to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the California Law Enforcement Memorial in Sacramento in May, 1997, again to pay respects to Danny, Terry, and others. A small memorial with plaques was installed at the flag poles of the Brea Civic Cultural Center in honor of the fallen officers.

ee also

* List of law enforcement agencies in California

References

* [http://www.ci.brea.ca.us/page.cfm?name=police_history The history of Brea PD as compiled by Sergeant Dennis Gray]
* [http://www.chp.ca.gov/memorial/fallen.html CHP's website that organizes fallen heroes by decade, with links to individual circumstances]

External links

* [http://www.ci.brea.ca.us/section.cfm?id=409] The official website of Brea PD
* [http://www.chp.ca.gov] Official CHP web page.