Motorcycle officers from the Goleta Police Department.
The city of Goleta is taking the opportunity during National Police Week to thank the Goleta Police Department for protecting and serving the community. (City of Goleta photo)

The city of Goleta is taking the opportunity during National Police Week to thank the Goleta Police Department for protecting and serving the community. The department’s experienced professionals provide a high level of service to local residents.

The city owes them a debt of gratitude, especially for being on the front lines during this COVID-19 pandemic, and for putting their own health and safety at risk to help others.
 
Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for police services. The Goleta Police Department includes a chief of police services, a four-person motor unit, a community resource deputy, school resource deputy, and a patrol staff of 31 sworn officers using the Deputy Sheriff Service Unit (DSSU) model.

The city recently welcomed a new chief of police services, Lt. Rich Brittingham, and a new community resource deputy, Ben Sandu.

“We want to express our great appreciation and thanks to the highly professional and dedicated men and women of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office who serve the city of Goleta and work hard to keep our community safe,” said Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte.

“During this year’s National Police Week, we also want to take the opportunity to honor and remember the law enforcement officers who have lost their lives or who have become disabled in the line of duty across this nation for the safety and protection of others and to reaffirm our support for them in the difficult work they do,” said Vyto Adomaitis, Goleta Neighborhood Services and Public Safety director.

National Police Week is a time when communities across the United States come together to thank the men and women who serve as law enforcement officers as well as to honor the memory of those who have been killed in the line of duty.

Police Week began during President John F. Kennedy’s administration in 1962. The names of 307 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated during the 32nd Annual Candlelight Vigil in Washington D.C. at 5 p.m. March 13. For the first time, the event will be virtual.

Watch it live on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund social media channels: Facebook (@NLEOMF), YouTube (@TheNLEOMF), or Twitter (@NLEOMF).