Sergeant

GLENDALE — Misdemeanor and infraction offenses decreased by more than 550 incidents during the first half of this year in comparison to the same period in 2007. The offenses — which police officially call Part II crimes — fell from 4,959 in the first six months of 2007 to 4,393 in January through June 2008, according to police statistics. The decrease in Part II crimes was attributed to an upswing in more serious crimes, according to police. The number of serious crimes — such as aggravated assault or burglary — tends to tick upward when the economy is suffering.

GLENDALE — Police have linked the economic downturn to a significant jump in property crime in the city during the first six months of 2008 Property crimes — such as burglary, auto theft, auto burglary, grand theft, petty theft and arson — rose to 2,061 incidents in January through June from 1,782 incidents in the first six months of 2007, according to Glendale police crime statistics. The upward trend will likely continue if economic struggles persist, police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

NORTHWEST GLENDALE — A man who chased down a group of would-be carjackers for the license plate number, an officer who freed a man from burning wreckage, and an entire bureau that tracked down a hit-and-run suspect were just a few of the honorees at the 13th annual Glendale Police Department awards ceremony on Thursday. Civilians and police officers shared the spotlight in front of a audience of about 500 at the Hilton Glendale as they received awards for everything from marksmanship to volunteerism.

BURBANK ? Capping an end to a tense trial that pitted the Glendale Police Department against one of its veteran officers, a jury found on Friday that the department did not engage in discrimination in denying the officer?s attempts at promotion. Twenty-two-year Officer Patricia Larrigan, who was injured on the job in 1994, alleged that she was denied a promotion to sergeant because of her disabilities. But department officials argued that while Larrigan passed two of three portions of the sergeant testing process in 2003 and 2005, she never passed all three.

LA CRESCENTA — Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Capt. Tim Peters is set to retire in March after 36 years with the department, spending his last four years as commander of the La Crescenta station. Sgt. Joe Raya and Sgt. Randy Sulstrom will also retire in March after 32 years of service. Peters rose through the ranks, advancing through field operations patrol, special investigations, surveillance and detective work before taking the top spot at the Crescenta Valley station in 2004.

BURBANK — Glendale Police Chief Randy Adams testified on Wednesday that he would have considered promoting Officer Patricia Larrigan, who is suing the department for alleged discrimination, had she passed necessary exams. Larrigan, a 22-year veteran of the force who suffered knee, back and hip injuries in a job-related incident, alleges that the department denied her a promotion to sergeant because of her disabilities. Since her injury, Larrigan has been among 1% of the force that is considered a permanent, limited-duty officer incapable of field duty.

BURBANK — An expert witness in a discrimination lawsuit against the Glendale Police Department testified Tuesday in Superior Court that the department does not have a satisfactory policy to accommodate permanently disabled officers who are vying for a promotion. Donald Van Blaricom — a former Bellevue, Wash., police chief with a history of court appearances on police practice issues — testified on behalf of Glendale Police Officer Patricia Larrigan, who alleges that she was kept from career advancement because of disabilities.

BURBANK — A veteran Glendale police officer took the witness stand Thursday to back her claim that the Glendale Police Department violated state discrimination law in denying her a promotion. Twenty-two-year Officer Patricia Larrigan, who has not served in the field because of injuries sustained on the job in 1994, claims that department officials repeatedly blocked her attempts at a promotion to sergeant because of her injuries. Police officials argue that Larrigan failed to pass necessary promotional exams, but her attorney argued that her failure hinged in part on advice Police Chief Randy Adams gave to examination panels not to promote a physically limited officer.

After taking a leadership-building class, Glendale resident Rick Dinger gained an appreciation for the people who make a difference in the Glendale community. The class became a valuable learning experience for Dinger. He joined the Montrose Chamber of Commerce, and after participating in chamber activities, he felt a sense of accomplishment. Soon he found himself taking part in other local organizations. “I was amazed at the diversity and the ability of the people,” said the 41-year-old father of three.