Behind the Badge
The promotions of five members of the La Habra Police Department were recently celebrated during a badge-pinning ceremony attended by family members, fellow officers and police personnel from several agencies.
One by one, with Police Chief Jerry Price announcing the achievements of each, the honorees took the stage at the La Habra Community Center, accompanied by their families.
Children and proud spouses pinned the badges, engraved with the new rank, on the uniforms of the honorees.
Receiving promotions were Cpl. Shawn Miller, Sgt. Eric Ocampo, Lt. Clint Angle, Lt. Adam Foster and Capt. Dean Capelletti.
Capt. Dean Capelletti gets a hug from his son, Nikolas, 10, after receiving his new captain’s badge during LHPD’s promotion ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Capt. Dean Capelletti
A police officer since 2002, Capelletti has excelled in virtually every unit where he has been assigned.
He was transferred to the General Investigations Bureau in 2006, where, as an investigator, he handled auto thefts, sex crimes, child abuse and homicide cold cases.
“The sex crimes and child abuse caseload was one of Dean’s most meaningful assignments, as he worked tirelessly to find justice for the victims of the cases that he worked,” Price said.
Capt. Dean Capelletti gets a hug from his son, Nikolas, 10, after receiving his new captain’s badge during LHPD’s promotion ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
During that assignment, Capelletti also was part of the Juvenile Sex Offender Management Team of Orange County. In that role, he developed methods that help investigate sex crimes cases involving juvenile suspects.
He is a certified composite artist and his composite drawings have been instrumental in helping solve multiple cases.
Capelletti was promoted to sergeant in 2010 and assigned to the Professional Standards Unit the following year. He remained in that assignment until his promotion to lieutenant in 2013, when he was reassigned to patrol. Two years later, he returned to the Investigations Bureau, this time as the bureau commander.
Over the course of his career, he has had the opportunity to coordinate the department’s security for community events, such as the Corn Festival, has participated in numerous honor guard events, and served as a presenter for the department’s English and Spanish language Citizens’ Academies.
Capelletti has received the MADD Deuce Award and the police department’s Life Saving Award, not to mention numerous other accolades.
During his time with La Habra, he has served as an explorer advisor, field training officer, arrest and control tactics instructor, North County SWAT team leader and team commander.
Following his son pinning his badge for him, Capelletti said: “I would like to thank the City and community and all of those that supported, helped and led me. I have been fortunate throughout my career to have mentors from our agency and other agencies that believed in me and were willing to take the time to teach and guide me. I would especially like to thank my parents and wife.”
Lt. Adam Foster says a few words, with La Habra Police Chief Jerry Price behind him, after receiving his new lieutenant’s badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Lt. Adam Foster
Foster came to the LHPD from another agency in 2009.
As a lateral officer with seven years of law enforcement experience, he was a welcome addition to the department. In fact, within a year of joining the agency, Foster became a member of the North County SWAT team and a field training officer, spending two years in patrol training new officers.
While on SWAT, Foster planned and served a multi-location arrest warrant for two suspects wanted in connection with a double homicide.
He was transferred to the General Investigations Unit in 2012 as a detective working fraud and forgery cases. Foster was promoted to sergeant that same year.
As a sergeant, Foster served as a SWAT supervisor for North County SWAT. He also was transferred to the Professional Standards Unit where he was responsible for the department’s recruitment efforts, personnel training, and internal affairs investigations.
Foster has served on the LHPD honor guard, range staff and has volunteered for a variety of community events such as Tip a Cop, National Night Out, the PD’s Open House and the Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run.
“Adam has been a good addition to the management team and we look forward to many good things from him in the years to come,” Price said.
Foster thanked his family and friends for their love and support. He also thanked his professional family at the department and from outside agencies for their mentorship and guidance.
Lt. Clint Angle stands with his family. From left, his wife, Pam, and daughters Nicky, 16, and Amanda, 13.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Lt. Clint Angle
Angle began his law enforcement career as a police cadet with LHPD in 1993 and was hired as a police officer a year later.
In August 1999, Angle was working on patrol and noticed smoke coming out of a home.
He found the residents still asleep inside and escorted them out safely.
“It was noted in a written commendation that Clint’s efforts likely saved the lives of these residents,” Price said.
Angle also has served on North County SWAT and as a detective in the Gang Unit and member of the Special Investigations Unit.
In 2004, Angle received the Chief’s Unit Citation for assisting in the solving of five gang-related homicides in one year.
In 2007, he received a written letter of appreciation from the District Attorney’s Office for his outstanding investigation of a homicide.
Angle was assigned to the Professional Standards Unit in 2011 and was put in charge of hiring and training for the department.
“I am happy to have him as the newest member of our management team and look forward to his innovative ideas and contributions in the years to come,” Price said.
Angle expressed his deep appreciation for his family’s continued support and his sincere gratitude for the opportunity to work within the community on a broader scale.
Sgt. Eric Ocampo has his new badge pinned to him by his kids, Jake, 10, and Emmy, 8, during LHPD’s promotion ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Sgt. Eric Ocampo
Ocampo joined the LHPD in 2007.
After working in patrol, he was appointed as one of the department’s field training officers.
Ocampo played a role in locating an occupied vehicle involved in a robbery, resulting in the arrest of the suspects.
He transferred to General Investigations in 2012, serving as investigator of sexual assault and child abuse cases.
Ocampo has served as a member of the range staff, a Taser instructor, a presenter for the Citizens’ Academy, a member of the honor guard, and as a regular participant in the Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run. He currently is an active member of the North County SWAT, serving as a team supervisor.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
He has received commendations from his supervisors, three chief’s citations and a Distinguished Service Medal.
“I want to thank the many friends and family members who have helped me get here,” Ocampo said.
Shawn Miller of the LHPD is congratulated by La Habra Police Chief Jerry Price after his promotion to corporal.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Cpl. Shawn Miller
A police officer since 2007, Miller has consistently exceeded the average for self-initiated calls during a shift, Price said.
He has served as a member of the department’s range staff, as a field training officer and as a volunteer during K9 demonstrations.
Miller was selected to serve as a narcotics detective in the Special Investigations Unit in 2012.
In 2015, Miller became part of the Public and Commercial Narcotic Enforcement Team, (PACNET), or as it is currently known, the Orange County Financial Investigations Task Force (OCFIT). This task force is made up of police officers from surrounding agencies working with federal agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. During his time on the task force , the officers obtained monetary seizures of more than $1.4 million dollars and confiscated nearly 618 pounds of narcotics.
“He was very successful serving in this undercover capacity and assisted many outside agencies,” Price said.
“I want you to know I wouldn’t be here without you guys,” Miller said of his fellow officers. “You guys continue to teach me and have taught me everything I know.”
