VENTURA : 5 Police Officers Are Promoted at Ceremony

Five Ventura police officers were ceremoniously promoted to new positions Monday--the largest number to change rank in recent memory.

In front of a large audience of family and friends, the five officers were given new badges and a pat on the back by Police Chief Richard Thomas.

Among those promoted was Mike Tracy to assistant chief. Tracy, 46, joined the Ventura Police Department in 1975 and steadily rose through the ranks. He replaces Randy Adams, who left last month to become Simi Valley’s police chief.

Roger Nustad, 50, was promoted to lieutenant after 19 years as a patrol officer, member of SWAT and detective.

Carl Handy, 45, was also promoted to lieutenant. He spent 23 years as an officer, detective and most recently as head of the department’s gang unit.

Tom Taylor, 36, and Bryan Roberts, 34, were promoted to sergeant. Taylor, who previously worked for the Delano Police Department, came to Ventura 11 years ago. Roberts joined the force nine years ago.

“It’s the biggest turnover in years,” said Brent Johnson, a department spokesman. “It provides for a lot of movement in the department, which is good for morale.”