Police promote three to corporal

The Laguna Beach Police Department recently promoted three officers to corporal.

Darrel Short, Matthew Meadows and Rebecca White will direct and guide subordinates, train sworn and civilian department employees and coordinate public outreach campaigns.

Department officials selected Short, Meadows and White from among seven applicants, Capt. Jason Kravetz wrote in an email.

Each candidate completed two written exams, a mock in-field exercise with an outside rating agency and a panel interview with three Laguna Beach police supervisors, Kravetz said.

As corporals, Short, Meadows and White will perform all of the duties of a police officer, such as responding to calls, enforcing public safety and traffic laws and discussing problems, complaints and violations with residents and visitors, according to the job description.

They will report to a sergeant or watch commander.

Kravetz did not release the officers’ ages, cities of residence or photos since they might work undercover.

Short was hired in 2007 and was a patrol officer for the last six years. He is also part of the department’s crime scene investigation team, whose members receive training in fingerprinting and DNA collection, according to Kravetz.

Short’s brother, Mike Short, is also an LBPD officer.

Meadows was hired in 2008 and was a burglary detective.

He has received several awards for service, including recognition from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the LBPD for helping apprehend a burglar who was terrorizing Indian jewelry businesses in Orange and San Diego counties, Kravetz said.

Matt’s brother, Kevin Meadows, is also an officer with the department.

White was hired in 2008 and previously worked for the Los Angeles Police Department.

She specializes in drug recognition and has worked the night traffic investigations unit for the past few years.

In 2011, White made more than 100 arrests for alleged drunk driving and earned MADD’s Century Award, given to a small number of Orange County police officers each year, Kravetz said.

White’s husband, Tony White, is an LBPD sergeant.

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