2016 Class of CHP Senior Volunteers – photo by Gina Clugston
OAKHURST – There are now 22 citizen volunteers sworn in and ready to assist the Oakhurst Area Office of the California Highway Patrol.
Friends and family gathered at the Oakhurst CHP Office on Friday morning to be part of the graduation ceremony as the new Senior Volunteers were welcomed to the CHP family.
Officer Kaci Lutz, who designed and led the two-week training for the class along with Officer Brian Casey, was acknowledged by Commander Jason Daughrity for implementing his vision for this program, which is new to the Oakhurst Office.
Officer Lutz with Senior Volunteer Michael Bradley – photo by Gina Clugston
The graduates come from a broad spectrum of the community, including retired school teachers, private business owners, and retired police officers and firefighters.
Officer Lutz, in working with the volunteers, identified their interests and skill sets and grouped them into teams that will assist with such duties as school zone patrols, setting out radar trailers, delivering vehicles to and from the shop, assisting with traffic compliance and at events, handling administrative office duties, meeting and greeting the public, delivering documents to court or CHP Central Division, preparing Emergency Medical Responder bags, researching registration violations, and basically “flying the colors” to serve as a visual deterrent where needed.
“The diverse background of this group will contribute to the success of our office,” said Daughrity.
Rich Regert is pinned with badge as CHP Senior Volunteer – photo by Gina Clugston
All 22 volunteers who started the academy completed the training, and last Friday after they were sworn in, their badge was pinned to their uniform by a friend or family member.
Also on hand to honor the graduating class were CHP Central Division Chief Nick Norton and Asst. Chief Lenley Duncan.
As Officer Lutz told this group of seasoned citizens at the beginning of their training, “You’re never too old to be Blue and Gold.”
Here are the members of the 2016 Oakhurst Area CHP Senior Volunteer graduating class:
Michael Bradley
Roy Broomfield
Marianne Carwin
Jim Condon
Sally Condon
Gordon Crisman
Dale Deem
Gary Delvin
Alan Gil
Alan Graas
John Guthrie
Nancy Iden
Chris Jefferson
Ron Lingo
Geneva Mooneyham
Marina Ossit
Franci Pasley
Rich Regert
Lynn Russell
Ray “Bud” Russell
Gayle Studt
Michael Vaughn
