Sergeant

Three police officers, a department-issued car and a joyride to Las Vegas - that journey and its potential consequences hit a Los Angeles County Superior Courtroom on Tuesday. An attorney for Officer Patrick Hamblin and his former colleagues - Fernando Salmeron and Mike Ullerich, who were fired after getting caught - appealed to Judge Luis Lavin on Tuesday to correct previous actions made by the Glendale Civil Service Commission in the case. The officers claim their actions were due to "a momentary lapse of judgment," not, as the city argues, "moral turpitude," according to their court petition.

Three Glendale police officers were promoted to the rank of sergeant Jan. 12 at the Glendale Police Station. Friends, family members and other officers joined the afternoon ceremony to celebrate the promotions. Stewart Brackin, Michael Glassick and Steve Robertson were promoted and sworn in as sergeants in unison during the event. After a speech and brief introduction by Police Chief Randy Adams, the officers were asked to introduce their family members and select loved ones to pin their badges on. After the sergeants had their badges pinned they each shared a few words with the audience.

A Los Angeles man faces a charge of battery after allegedly spitting on a Glendale Police sergeant, authorities said. Charles Fox, 30, allegedly spit on Sgt. Ian Grimes, Glendale Police's robbery/homicide supervisor, after they confronted each other Monday at Orange Street and Broadway. Grimes allegedly saw Fox skateboard through the intersection against a red light and stopped him by blocking his way with the car. Fox cursed at Grimes, spat on him and hit Grimes' city vehicle with his skateboard, causing $400 in damage, according to the police report.

Department veteran promoted to sergeant Sam Hopper of the Glendale Police Department was promoted to the rank of sergeant Tuesday in a ceremony held in the department's community room. In front of friends, family and co-workers, Hopper received his sergeant's badge and was sworn into his new rank by Police Chief Randy Adams. "In my opinion [it's] one of the most important positions in the department," Adams said. Hopper began his career with the department in 1980 and most recently served as a detective in the assaults department.

A Newport Beach police sergeant wounded a pit bull after the dog reportedly charged toward him Sunday, police said. The sergeant was on patrol at about 3 a.m. near West Ocean Front and Summit Street when he saw a light that appeared to be emanating from a tent on a West Newport beach, Newport Beach Police Sgt. Bill Hartford said. The sergeant approached the tent to tell the occupant, Jose Lopez, 35, of Newport Beach, that camping is not allowed. As he walked toward the tent, the sergeant noticed an unleashed 80-pound pit bull near the tent, Hartford said.

Army Sgt. Charles Alexandre has been named the 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter. Selection was based on the individual's exemplary duty performance, job knowledge, leadership qualities, significant self-improvement, specific achievements, notable accomplishments, and community service and support. Alexandre is a brigade driver assigned to the Headquarter Battalion, Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. The sergeant has served in the military for seven years.

Tania Chatila In front of a crowded audience of nearly 100 proud friends, family members and colleagues, three Glendale Police officers were promoted to sergeant and one to lieutenant Thursday afternoon in a special ceremony held at the Glendale Police Department community room. Robert Breckenridge, David Buckley and Robert Zahreddine were promoted to the rank of sergeant and Todd Stokes became a lieutenant. Each was presented with a plaque and badge, and sworn in to their new positions by taking the oath of office.

  Hubert A. (Ozzie) Ostendorf Feb 25, 1917-June 6, 2011   Ozzie Ostendorf passed away on June 6 th 2011 at Glendale Memorial Hospital at the age of 94.  A longtime Glendale resident, and a Hoover High School graduate, he moved to Glendale in 1929 at age 12 and was the oldest retired Glendale Police officer.  Prior to joining the Police department, where he retired as a Sergeant, he worked at the Glendale News Press for...

Darleene Barrientos They came from New York, Boston, Michigan, Mississippi, Northern and Southern California and, of course, Glendale to serve with what they collectively believe is the greatest police department in the country. Family, friends, city officials, retired police officers and colleagues gathered Thursday in the Glendale Central Library for the promotion ceremony for Assistant Police Chief Ron DePompa, captains Mike Rock and Ray Edey, lieutenants Kirk Palmer and Carl Povilaitis, and sergeants Harley Wing and Scott Bickle.

A 26-year-old convicted felon who caused a school lockdown and brief police chase after he simulated pointing a weapon in front of Glenoaks Elementary School pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges that he assaulted officers at the scene. Kyle McCleary was charged with a felony count of battery and injuring a Glendale police sergeant, another felony count of battery with serious bodily injury on the sergeant and one felony count of resisting a second police officer in connection with the Dec. 21 incident outside of the school in the 2000 block of East Glenoaks Boulevard, according to a Los Angeles County Superior Court criminal complaint.

Three police officers, a department-issued car and a joyride to Las Vegas - that journey and its potential consequences hit a Los Angeles County Superior Courtroom on Tuesday. An attorney for Officer Patrick Hamblin and his former colleagues - Fernando Salmeron and Mike Ullerich, who were fired after getting caught - appealed to Judge Luis Lavin on Tuesday to correct previous actions made by the Glendale Civil Service Commission in the case. The officers claim their actions were due to "a momentary lapse of judgment," not, as the city argues, "moral turpitude," according to their court petition.

A 26-year-old convicted felon who caused a school lockdown and brief police chase after he simulated pointing a weapon in front of Glenoaks Elementary School pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges that he assaulted officers at the scene. Kyle McCleary was charged with a felony count of battery and injuring a Glendale police sergeant, another felony count of battery with serious bodily injury on the sergeant and one felony count of resisting a second police officer in connection with the Dec. 21 incident outside of the school in the 2000 block of East Glenoaks Boulevard, according to a Los Angeles County Superior Court criminal complaint.

A series of disciplinary hearings kicked off at Glendale City Hall this week in the case of a police officer who is appealing his demotion from sergeant. The first in what could be up to 10 hearings regarding the Vahak Mardikian case began Wednesday afternoon. Both sides sought to paint the other as the cause of the discord. The hearings are normally done behind closed doors unless the subject of the discipline requests they be public. Mardikian was placed on paid administrative leave in February 2011 following an internal affairs investigation.

Two Florida men were arrested this week on suspicion of possessing a half-kilogram of cocaine after they were stopped for talking on a handheld cellphone while driving, officials said. The men - Herwood Barrington Walters, 25, and Courtney Lalor, 28 - were taken into custody about 9:18 p.m. Tuesday on North Central Avenue and Glenoaks Boulevard on suspicion of possessing cocaine for sale, according to Glendale police reports. The pair provided officers with few clues about why they were in Glendale, but police believe “they were probably trying to sell the cocaine,” Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

  Hubert A. (Ozzie) Ostendorf Feb 25, 1917-June 6, 2011   Ozzie Ostendorf passed away on June 6 th 2011 at Glendale Memorial Hospital at the age of 94.  A longtime Glendale resident, and a Hoover High School graduate, he moved to Glendale in 1929 at age 12 and was the oldest retired Glendale Police officer.  Prior to joining the Police department, where he retired as a Sergeant, he worked at the Glendale News Press for...

GLENDALE — Glendale police issued nearly 500 citations last month to motorists who were talking or texting on hand-held cell phones. Police were out in force last month as part of a statewide crackdown on distracted driving, issuing 491 citations to drivers who were illegally using cell phones while behind the wheel on city streets. “We are definitely sending a message,” Glendale Police Sgt. Dennis Smith said. For the first two weeks in April, law enforcement agencies cited more than 20,000 people statewide for using hand-held cell phones while driving, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) was gearing up to schedule talks at local high schools when the news hit that Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords had been shot in the head and six people had been killed by a gunman at a public constituent event in Tucson. "I told my staff, 'Stop trying to set those up for now,'" Sherman said. "'You are just going to make parents anxious.'" Sherman said his biggest concern is that constituents may fear meeting their elected officials in person.

GLENDALE — Glendale police arrested five motorists on suspicion of drunk driving during a targeted patrol on New Year's Eve. From 8 p.m. on Dec. 31 though 4 a.m. New Year's morning, Glendale police patrolled the city for potential drunk drivers as part of the two-week "Avoid the 100" campaign, a multi-agency effort aimed at curbing drunk driving during the holidays. "After hearing about the dangers of drinking and driving time after time, most people have gotten the message that if they're planning on drinking, they should always plan a safe way home," Glendora Police Chief Chuck Montoya said in a statement.

Four Glendale police officers were promoted Tuesday afternoon to higher-ranking positions within the department. Lt. Carl Povilaitis was promoted to captain, taking over a spot held by retiring Capt. Lief Nicolaisen. Povilaitis oversaw the department's traffic and special operations bureau, including the development of an internal program that allows police to track crime trends in an effort to respond faster to community issues. Sgt. Todd Anderson also moved up to the rank of lieutenant.

GLENDALE — Police detectives continue to investigate two stabbing incidents last month, including one that left a 19-year-old man with 15 stab wounds. Glendale police are still trying to determine whether the Oct. 24 stabbing incident involving the 19-year-old man even occurred in Glendale because he hasn't been cooperating with detectives, Sgt. Tom Lorenz said. Police responded to Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles after receiving a call about the stabbing victim, who had been brought by his mother, according to police reports.