RPD Honors Explorer Volunteer of the YearRPD Air Support Volunteers Also Recognized

In a ceremony held in December, the Redlands Police Department recognized employees and volunteers and welcomed new members to the department. The department recognized its Explorer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Reserve Officer of the Year, Officer of the Year and Civilian Employee of the Year. The department also welcomed four new employees. Awards included the following: Explorer of the Year: Cpl. Bryceson Coleman Coleman is the Redlands Police Department’s youngest Explorer. Prior to joining the post, he served in the California Cadet Corps and Sea Scouts. At only 13-and-a-half years old, he applied to be a Police Explorer but was too young and was asked to apply again when he turned 14. When he turned 14 and passed the eighth grade, he applied again. He was accepted him into the post in November 2012 at age 14. He earned his badge just three months later. Coleman has volunteered more than 500 hours serving the Redlands community, assisting with set-up, traffic control and safety at community events. He participates in ride-alongs with officers on patrol on a regular basis, assisting where he can and learning the job of a police officer. Coleman also assisted members of the Citizen Volunteer Patrol with the Summer Music Festival at the Bowl on a regular basis. Coleman achieved the rank of Explorer corporal in July and has been in charge of a squad since then. Coleman is currently in the 10th grade and attends the San Bernardino Safety Academy, where he maintains a grade point average of 3.0. All of his advisors agree that Coleman exudes confidence, honesty and determination in everything he does. Volunteer of the Year: Gregory Yesionek Gregory Yesionek has been a member of the Redlands Police Department’s volunteer Rangers program since January 2011. During his time as a ranger, he has volunteered more than 2,686 hours and he has logged a total of 1,203 hours for this year. This is almost 300 hours more than the ranger with next highest total volunteer hours. As a member of the Rangers, he has participated in numerous special events, and patrols the city’s parks on a regular basis. Yesionek spends most of his volunteer time helping with the Animal Control Office. He routinely helps with stray animals and other issues related to the Animal Control Office. Yesionek also comes out in the middle of the night to help patrol with animal problems that cannot wait for the regular ACO office to open. Additionally, Assemblyman Mike Morrell recognized the volunteer pilots of the RPD Air Support Unit who have donated nearly 17,000 volunteer hours to the unit since its inception in 2007, including over 2,500 hours this year. On hand to receive certificates were Barry Neumayer, Terry Harbison, Scott Jones, Bill Cheesman, Peter Krok, John Quigley, Larry Savaglio, Don Wallace, Jess Siglow, David Raley and Marc Tilson. Be sure to read the Redlands City News in coming editions to read more about individuals and businesses honored by the RPD at the Dec. 10 ceremony! Find us online at www.citynewsgroup.com > Redlands.