The Ripon Police Department recently held a new members and promotions event in the Council Chambers at Ripon City Hall.

Honored were Sgt. Paul Rourick, Field Training Officer Jacob Veltkamp, Officer Anthony Gonzales, Officer Pilar Battaglini, Officer Luis Portela, Dispatch Supervisor Gail Fry, Community Service Officer Supervisor Liz Ries, and IT Technician Elizabeth Farnam.

City Clerk Lisa Roos administered the oath of office at the Sept. 4 special event.

Sgt. Rourick has been with RPD since 2007. Over the years, he’s served as patrol officer, field training officer, and a SWAT member. Rourick was promoted to sergeant in January and now leads as a patrol supervisor.

FTO Veltkamp joined the local police department in 2019. He became a FTO back in March and is mentoring the newest recruits.

Officer Gonzales is a former dispatch with RPD. He graduated from the Delta College Academy in July and is currently a patrol officer in training.

Officer Battaglini has extensive law enforcement experience having worked for multiple agencies. She joined Ripon police in March and was assigned to patrol duties.

Officer Portela was hired in June, having graduated from the academy in December. He was also assigned to patrol.

Fry has been with the local police department since 2005. She has guided and trained dispatchers while serving in the role of lead dispatcher. In August, Fry was promoted to dispatch supervisor.

Ries has been the RPD since 2007. She was promoted to CSO supervisor in July after years of in the leadership role at a lead CSO.

Farnam joined RPD in June, and has since provided the essential technology support to keep the team connected and operational.