Behind the Badge
Friends, family members, and city officials gathered to watch and celebrate as eight of La Habra’s finest were promoted.
“It is my pleasure to be up here today as we are going to be recognizing, honoring, and celebrating the hard work and professionalism of these leaders at our department,” La Habra Police Chief Jerry Price said.
Each of the promotees endured a rigorous testing process to obtain their new positions, which included a written exam, an interview in front of a panel, and an interview with the chief.
Receiving promotions were Corporals Mucio Sanchez, Sumner Bohee and Erik Roy, Sergeants Craig Hentcy and Michael Costanzo, Lieutenants Dan Barnes and Jim Tigner, and Captain Adam Foster.
Corporal Mucio Sanchez
Sanchez started working for the department in 2008 as a part-time Police Service Aide.
“His hard work and ability to learn quickly made him an indispensable member of the department,” Price said.
In 2011, he successfully completed the academy and was sworn in as a police officer assigned to patrol.
Even though an officer’s first year on patrol can be daunting at times, Sanchez further challenged himself by completing his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Cal State Fullerton.
In 2015, Sanchez was assigned to General Investigations, working forgery and fraud cases. He was successful in solving his cases and obtained prosecutions of suspects.
“Mucio’s performance throughout his career is proof of his internal motivation and dedication to service,” Price said.
Sanchez is currently a member of the La Habra Police Department Honor Guard, serves as treasurer for the Police Association Board, is a recipient of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Award and was selected as the 2018 La Habra Police Association’s Officer of the Year.
La Habra Police Chief Jerry Price welcomes a full house to the police department’s badge pinning promotions ceremony at the La Habra Community Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Corporal Sumner Bohee
Bohee joined the department in 2008 as a Community Service Officer.
“From the beginning of his career at our agency, Sumner fit in very well with our department,” Price said.
In 2010, Sumner served as Acting Youth Service Officer within the General Investigations Unit. In January of 2012, Sumner became a Police Officer and was transferred to the Patrol Bureau.
Bohee was always active in traffic enforcement while assigned to Patrol and was transferred from Patrol to the Traffic Bureau in 2015, where he became a motor officer. In 2016 Bohee became one of the departments Drug Recognition Experts.
Bohee is a two-time recipient of the MADD award and received a Chiefs’ Citation for a complex felony hit-and-run investigation and conviction.
“I’m very excited to carry on all that great work,” Bohee said. “In all honesty I am not here on my own, I had a lot of great help throughout the way and I’m humbled to be here on this day,” Bohee said.
Corporal Erik Roy
Roy was assigned to patrol when he joined the department in 2011.
During his first year, Price said Roy was above the team average in all areas of productivity. Within a few months he received a written commendation from a supervisor for his work on a gang shooting he investigated.
In addition to his patrol duties, Roy was selected as a member of the North County SWAT Team and worked this assignment for a few months.
LHPD Cpl. Erik Roy is congratulated by LH Police Chief Jerry Price as Roy is promoted to the rank of corporal during a promotions ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Roy left La Habra after two years to serve another agency, but returned to the La Habra Police Department in 2017.
“Roy was temporarily assigned to the General Investigations Unit last year, and during those few months, Erik made a positive impact in the bureau,” Price said.
He currently serves as vice president of the police association board.
“Thank you to all my mentors,” Roy said. “I wouldn’t be here without all your guys’ help and thanks to my family and wife who never lets me down when I need support.”
Sergeant Craig Hentcy
Hentcy was hired in 2008 as a lateral police officer.
“Due to his 12 and a half years of prior law enforcement experience, it is no surprise that he transitioned well to police work in La Habra,” Price said.
In 2012, Hentcy became a detective in the General Investigations Unit.
“Craig was an exceptional detective and had a solid work ethic. He was compassionate, courteous, and friendly when dealing with people,” Price said. “He was proficient in his investigative skills and they were demonstrated in the cases he solved.”
LHPD Sgt. Craig Hentcy is congratulated by La Habra Police Chief Jerry Price as Hentcy is recognized during a promotion ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
His investigations assignment ended January of 2017 and he transferred to patrol, where in November of 2017 he was promoted to the rank of corporal.
Hentcy was one of the core people who worked to implement the department’s Peer Support Group, which provides a valuable resource to personnel in a time of crisis or when they need counseling and support.
He has received numerous awards throughout his career, including Unit Citations, and has been distinguished as the American Legion Officer of the Year and the Medal of Courage.
“This opportunity was 24 years in the making and I never thought I’d be here, so it’s awesome,” Hentcy said. “I look to the future of this department and it’s an exciting time and I’m glad to be part of it in this role.”
Sergeant Michael Costanzo
Costanzo began his career with the La Habra Police Department in 2006. His father, Steve, is a retiree of the department.
Costanzo worked as a patrol officer and was a gang detective from 2009 until his return to patrol in 2015. Upon his return to patrol, he was selected to be a Field Training Officer due to his experience and tenure.
“Mike is the type of employee that likes order and consistency,” Price said. “He takes pride in his duties as a La Habra police officer and believes in making La Habra a better place to live and work for all citizens.”
LHPD Sgt. Michael Costanzo after receiving his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
He was promoted to corporal in 2017 and continued leading his fellow officers on patrol.
Throughout his career, Costanzo has received the La Habra Police Association’s Officer of the Year Award, a Unit Citation, a Chief’s Citation, the Medal of Courage, and more.
“I’d call and tell my dad about the stories about situations I would get into or about things that I did on patrol and he would shake his head,” Costanzo said. “Now that I am supervisor, I’m starting to understand where he was coming from but I’m excited about this opportunity.”
Lieutenant Daniel Barnes
Barnes began his law enforcement career at La Habra as a reserve officer in 1993. Six months later, he was transferred to a full-time position.
“Daniel is an accomplished officer, having worked many special assignments and handled complex investigations,” Price said.
In 2010, Barnes promoted directly to sergeant from officer, which is a significant role transition to undertake. Under his new rank, he was also assigned to be the K9 Unit Supervisor.
Lt. Daniel Barnes stands on stage while LHPD Chief Jerry Price talks about Barnes new promotion during a badge pinning ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Last year, Barnes transferred to General Investigations as a detective sergeant, then transferred again to the Special Investigations Unit as its detective sergeant.
Barnes was the La Habra Police Association’s Officer of the Year in 2003 and has been a recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal.
“It’s amazing to be up here because it’s one of those things where 25 years goes by and then next thing you know you’re in this position,” Barnes said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’m humbled by the opportunity to continue to serve this community and I pray that I make you guys proud and that I continue to lead with honor and integrity.”
Lieutenant Jim Tigner
Tigner began his career at the department as a police cadet in 1995 and then as a jailer in 1997. Two years later, he was hired as a police officer assigned to patrol.
“Jim was a very proactive officer in the field and his self-initiated activity and arrests were above shift average,” Price said.
He became one of the top DUI arrest producers in the department. Due to this, he received the MADD DUI Century award in 2001.
In 2005, he was assigned to be a detective in the General Investigations Unit and then was promoted to Sergeant in 2006. In September of 2011 he was assigned to the Traffic Bureau as the units Sergeant. He served as traffic sergeant for 7 years.
LHPD Lt. Jim Tigner gets a hug from his family after receiving his new badge during a promotion ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
In addition, Tigner has served as an Explorer advisor, Field Training Officer, K9 supervisor, K9 agitator, a member of the North County SWAT Team, Honor Guard, and served numerous times as a La Habra Police Department Association board member.
Tigner has also been the recipient of a Chief’s Citation and two life-saving medals, and he is a three-time recipient of the La Habra Police Department Association’s Supervisor of the Year award.
“It seems like yesterday I was a little…teenager at 18 getting hired,” Tigner said. “This transition to lieutenant is going to be different for me, but I grateful for this opportunity.”
LHPD Lt. Jim Tigner with his family on stage after receiving his new badge during a promotion ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Captain Adam Foster
Foster came to the department as a lateral officer with prior experience from another agency.
“Adam quickly became active in the department and had been noted as always being an officer who is willing to help others and considered approachable by officers and supervisors alike,” Price said.
Foster earned his Master of Public Administration from National University.
In 2010, Foster became the Field Training Officer in addition to being a member of the SWAT Team, and he spent the next two years in patrol training new officers.
Friends capture the moment as LHPD Michael Costanzo receives his new badge with the rank of sergeant.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Foster transferred to General Investigations in 2012 as a detective working fraud, forgery, and various other cases, which led him to being promoted to sergeant within the year.
In November of 2013 Foster was assigned to the Professional Standards Unit where he supervised the Field Training Officer program, recruitment of new employees and handled sensitive investigations involving police staff.
Foster was promoted to lieutenant in 2016, and transferred to patrol. In 2018, Foster once again transferred back to the Professional Standards Unit.
He has been a member of the Honor Guard, Range Staff, and an Awards Committee Supervisor.
“I want to thank my family for the love and support. This wouldn’t be possible without them,” Foster said. “I look forward to being a mentor for this department and serving the community as they deserve.”
