On August 2 the Menlo Park Police Department will welcome and "swear-in" Kristine Cisco and Steven Harper as Communications Officers (Police Dispatchers).

Kristy has been a Reserve Police Officer with us since 2/24/95. During that time she also trained in our Communications Center and worked as a part-time dispatcher. She will now be a full-time dispatcher and continue as a Reserve Police Officer. Kristy who was born and raised in Menlo Park attended Castilleja High School and San Jose State where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies. Most recently Ms. Cisco was an elementary school teacher at La Entrada School in Menlo Park. Kristy is preparing for her first triathlon, which combines her enjoyment of biking, running and aerobics.

Steve Harper has worked with our organization as a per diem and permanent Communications Officer. Steve was born in Burlingame and raised in Foster City. He attended San Mateo High School and College of San Mateo. He has worked as a Communications Officer for Belmont and Atherton Police Departments. He will continue to work as an Atherton Reserve Police Officer. Steve is a long time Menlo Park resident who enjoys foreign travel.

We are also very proud to announce the promotion of Matthew Bacon from Police Officer to Sergeant. Sergeant Bacon began his career here in February 1987 as a Police Officer. In the past thirteen years Matt has worked as a Field Training Officer, training new police officers, as a Detective and on the Red and Cat Teams. The Red and Cat Team were multi-jurisdiction teams whose goal was street level felony enforcement predominantly in East Palo Alto. Sergeant Bacon was born and raised in San Jose where he attended Archbishop Mitty High School. He earned a Master's degree from College of Norte Dame, Belmont in Public Administration. Sergeant Bacon and his wife Alia live in Fremont. In his off duty hours, Sergeant Bacon enjoys playing the guitar and song writing.

We are also honoring our Reserve Officer Organization and its officers; Robert E. Wood, for his 26 years of service; Mary (Meme) Jensen 23 years; Kristine Cisco, 5 years; and Barbara Ayres, 1 year. A significant number of our current officers began their careers as Reserve Police Officers. Our unique Police Reserve Program - (Link to web page)   began after the air raid on Pearl Harbor when Menlo Park's police ranks were depleted with officers entering military service. Since that time reserve officers have remained an integral part of our department, receiving the same training and performing the same functions as full time police officers. ###