Behind the Badge
Westminster Police Department employees, friends and family gathered Jan. 18 at the Westminster Rose Center to recognize five agency members receiving promotions.
“Each position comes with a great deal of responsibility, respect and esteem,” interim WPD Chief Roy Campos told the audience, adding that the promotional ceremony is one of the “wonderful traditions” he’s been able to be a part of during his six months at the agency.
Westminster Interim Police Chief Roy Campos welcomes guests to the Westminster PD promotion ceremony Jan. 18.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The employees who received promotions and were sworn in by Campos at the ceremony were Cpl. Jeremy Fletcher and Cpl. Michael Harvey, Sgt. Ron Weber and Sgt. Anil Adam, and Commander Mark Lauderback.
Cpl. Jeremy Fletcher gets a hug from his wife, Adriana, after she pinned his new badge on him.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Fletcher, who’s been with the agency since graduating from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Academy in 2002, most recently served as a patrol officer. Prior to working in the Patrol Division, he worked in the Traffic Division for more than 10 years, where he was a motor officer and traffic investigator. He’s been a member of the regional West County SWAT for the past 12 years. As part of the team, he’s now the sniper element assistant team leader. Fletcher also currently serves as a department firearms instructor and weapons armorer.
“Cpl. Fletcher also recently retired from the United States Marine Corps Reserves after 20 years of faithful service,” Campos said.
Cpl. Michael Harvey gets his new badge pinned on him by his wife, Wendy, while he holds his 15-month-old daughter, Reese.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Harvey began his career in law enforcement in 2004 at the San Diego County Probation Department’s Juvenile Hall. He was hired by the Costa Mesa Police Department and attended the Orange County Sheriff’s Academy in 2008. He lateral transferred over to Westminster PD in 2011, working patrol, and was voted Officer of the Year in 2012. Currently a burglary detective, Harvey also is a member of West County SWAT’s containment team, the bicycle patrol team and is an explorer program advisor.
. Ron Weber has his new badge pinned on him by his daughter, Alexa, 11, with his wife Lisa and 8-year-old son Mason standing next to him.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Weber, who has served as a corporal since 2011, began at the agency in 2001. He’s worked as a patrol officer, metro officer, special investigations detective, narcotics detective, Crimes Against Property detective, Crimes Against Persons detective and a field training officer. He also served on the WPD SWAT team.
Sgt. Ron Weber and Sgt. Anil Adam, right, are sworn in to their new ranks by Westminster Interim Police Chief Roy Campos.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Adam has been with the agency for seven years, working in the detective bureau for four years, where he investigated auto theft, burglary and fraud. He’s part of the sniper element in West County SWAT and is a department firearms instructor.
“Sgt. Adam moved to America at age 7 from the country of Turkey and grew up in the City of Laguna Beach,” said Campos.
Commander Mark Lauderback smiles as he receives his new badge from his son, Brett, 20, during the Westminster PD promotion ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Lauderback joined WPD in 1994 and became a motor officer after four years on patrol. He remained a motor officer for three years before returning to patrol until he was reassigned to the detective bureau. As a detective, he had numerous assignments, including investigating auto theft, fraud, domestic violence and child abuse. He became a corporal in 2011 and then later, a sergeant. His most recent assignment was as the sergeant in charge of the Professional Standards Unit.
Mark Lauderback is sworn in as commander by Westminster Interim Police Chief Roy Campos.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“He received the department’s Lifesaving Award as well as the department’s Medal of Merit for assisting with the apprehending of a bank robber who was wanted by the FBI for robbing over 10 banks in Orange and LA Counties,” Campos said.
WPD Deputy Chief Timothy Vu, right, thanks Interim Police Chief Roy Campos for his service during the police chief transitional period.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The ceremony ended with Deputy Chief Tim Vu thanking Campos for his service as interim chief, adding that even though he has been there in the interim, “he’s definitely full time.” Vu said Campos “made it a point to talk to almost every employee when he got here.”
“We thank you for your service, we thank you for your commitment,” Vu told Campos.
From left, Cpl. Michael Harvey, Cpl. Jeremy Fletcher, Interim Police Chief Roy Campos, Commander Mark Lauderback, Sgt. Anil Adam and Sgt. Ron Weber.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The Westminster PD Color Guard posts the colors at the start of the promotion ceremony at the Rose Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
