Behind the Badge
At the Tustin Police Department, swearing in new hires and promoting current employees is always a family affair.
In fact, the entire police department is often referred to as one big family.
Judging by the standing-room-only crowd that packed Tustin City Council Chambers on June 13 for the swearing-in/promotion ceremony, that analogy is more than a mere cliché.
Tustin Police Lt. Stephanie Nichols and Sgt. Diego Gomez give each other a hug after being sworn in to their new ranks by Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg, left.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Two new police officers and one communications officer were sworn in on that day, one sergeant was promoted to lieutenant, one police officer was promoted to sergeant, and one cadet was promoted to detention officer.
Family members, friends, and current Tustin Police Department and City of Tustin employees were on hand to celebrate each one.
Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg called it a “great day for Tustin.”
Tustin Police Department’s new Lt. Stephanie Nichols, right, is introduced by Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
“I’ve only been here for six months now,” Greenberg said. “There is a strong family bond here. We look out for each other. We take care of each other. Nobody does this job alone. Having the family members here to celebrate this day with us is extremely important.”
He pointed out how a law enforcement career “changes lives” and some situations would be virtually impossible to get through without the support of family.
Tustin Police Lt. Stephanie Nichols receives her new badge from her husband, Orange Police Capt. David Nichols, during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
“I’m blessed to have my family and friends here,” said Lt. Stephanie Nichols, who was promoted from the rank of sergeant to lieutenant as her husband, four children, parents, and two brothers watched from the audience.
“We miss out on a lot of things and I just want to tell you guys I love you very much,” Nichols said.
Tustin Police Department’s new Lt. Stephanie Nichols, center, with Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg and Nichols’ husband, Orange Police Capt. David Nichols, right, during a ceremony in Tustin.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Promotions
Detention Officer Kyle Meyer
Meyer, an aspiring police officer, was hired as a cadet at the Tustin Police Department in July 2018, working in the Professional Standards Division and then in the Property and Evidence Unit.
In April 2019, Meyer became a part-time detention officer and completed the Orange County Sheriff’s Adult Corrections Core Course in May.
Meyer graduated from Norco High School in 2018 and was an Explorer with the Brea Police Department for three years.
Tustin Police Department’s new Detention Officer Kyle Meyer is congratulated by Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg during a ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Police Officer Chelsea Martin
Martin was hired by the Tustin Police Department in February 2019 as a reserve officer before becoming a full-time police officer in May. Before coming to Tustin, Martin served at the Laguna Beach Police Department after graduating from the Golden West College Police Academy in June 2018.
Tustin PD’s new Officer Chelsea Martin receives her new badge from her boyfriend, Los Angeles Firefighter Scott Harris, during a swearing in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
She grew up in Rancho Santa Margarita and graduated from Trabuco Hills High School in 2010.
Martin graduated from Cal State Long Beach in 2016, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in forensics.
Tustin Police Department’s new Officer Chelsea Martin with her boyfriend, Los Angeles Firefighter Scott Harris, after she received her new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Sgt. Diego Gomez
A native of Tijuana, Mexico, Gomez was hired by the Tustin Police Department as a police officer in June 2007 and was promoted to sergeant in April 2019. Gomez has worked in patrol, special enforcement, gangs, and as a field training officer.
Tustin Police Lt. Stephanie Nichols and Sgt. Diego Gomez, right, are sworn in to their new ranks by Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Prior to coming to Tustin, Gomez worked at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department from 2005 to 2007.
Gomez received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Cal State Fullerton in 2006. Prior to attending Cal State Fullerton, he served as an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Navy.
Tustin Police Sgt. Diego Gomez receives his new badge from his daughters, Isabella, Victoria, Kassandra, and Valentina during a swearing-in ceremony with Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg, left.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Lt. Stephanie Nichols
A 20-year veteran of the Tustin Police Department, Nichols was promoted to lieutenant in April 2019.
Nichols was hired by the Tustin Police Department in August 1999. She graduated from the Golden West College police academy a short time later.
She was promoted to sergeant in 2009 and worked in the General Investigations Unit and Patrol.
Tustin Police Lt. Stephanie Nichols hugs Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg just before being sworn in as Tustin Police Department’s new lieutenant.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Nichols earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Cal State Fullerton in 1996 and went on to earn a master’s degree in public administration from Cal State Fullerton in 1999.
From 1994 to 1999, Nichols was a police cadet for the Orange Police Department. She graduated from El Dorado High School in Placentia in 1991.
New hires
Communications Officer Ashley Cravens
Cravens was hired as a communications officer by the Tustin Police Department in April 2019. She graduated from Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine in 2016 and went on to earn an associate’s degree in communication studies from Irvine Valley College.
Tustin Police Department’s new Communications Officer Ashley Cravens, center, with Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg and her mother, Alicia, during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Police Officer Merwin Caiza
Caiza, who is currently in field training, was hired by the Tustin Police Department as a recruit in September 2018. He graduated from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Training Academy in May 2019.
Caiza served eight years in the U.S. Marines and was deployed overseas three times. He was born in Ecuador, immigrated to the U.S. at age 7, and went on to graduate from Woodrow Wilson High School in Los Angeles in 2010.
Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg congratulates Officer Merwin Caiza during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Police Officer Cody Clay
Clay is currently in the Tustin Police Department’s field training program.
He was hired as police recruit in Tustin and graduated from the Orange County Sheriff’s Training Academy in May 2019.
Clay graduated from Mater Dei High School and earned a scholarship to play football at Azusa Pacific University. He played pro football for the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons before transitioning to law enforcement.
Officer Cody Clay, right, who is currently in Tustin Police Department’s field training program, is introduced by Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg, left.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin Police Sgt. Diego Gomez hugs his daughters, Isabella, Victoria, Kassandra, and Valentina after receiving his new badge during a swearing-in ceremony with Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg, left.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin Police Department’s new Officer Chelsea Martin with Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg and Los Angeles Firefighter Scott Harris, right, during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin Police Department’s new Communications Officer Ashley Cravens receives her pin from her mother, Alicia, during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
