Menlo Park Police Chief Christopher W. Boyd is pleased to announce the promotions of Police Officers Van Trask and Mark Boettger to Sergeant.The media is invited to the official ceremony that will take place December 5, 2002, 4:PM, at the Menlo Park City Council Chambers.

Sergeant Trask began his career with the Menlo Park Police Department as a Reserve Officer in 1970. He was hired as a full time Officer in 1975 and has worked in Patrol, Field Training, Investigations and Code Enforcement. Sergeant Trask has overseen the Menlo Park Police Department Explorer Cadet Program for the past 27 years and has mentored hundreds of youths. Sergeant Trask has received numerous awards including the prestigious Boy Scouts of America “Silver Beaver Award” for his dedication to serving the youth of our community. He attended Menlo-Atherton High School and has a B.S. degree from San Jose State. Van and his wife Bea live in Newark with their two children.

Sergeant Boettger began his career with the Menlo Park Police Department as a Cadet in 1983. He became a Reserve Officer in 1986, worked for Brisbane Police Department in 1988 and returned as a full time Police Officer with Menlo Park Police Department in 1989. He has worked in Patrol, Field Training, Traffic, and as a Defensive Tactics Instructor. Sergeant Boettger is a Child Passenger Safety Technician and has received several awards for Child Safety including recognition from the California State Senate. He attended Menlo-Atherton High School and is currently attending College of Notre Dame. Mark and his wife Cathleen live in Half Moon Bay.   ###