Veteran Cop Named Officer of the Year
The city’s police officers have chosen veteran Gary Sprague, who started his career with the city nearly 20 years ago, as Officer of the Year.
In 1978, Sprague became a cadet for the department and a year later served as a reserve officer. In 1980, he became a full-time officer for Placentia.
After working in patrol for a number of years, Sprague became a detective assigned to juvenile and sex crimes in 1988. For the past seven years, he has worked in personnel and training. Soon, he will move up in the ranks to field sergeant supervising patrol officers.
Sprague, 40, said he is looking forward to returning to shift duty but added that his work to oversee the hiring of personnel for the department has been satisfying.
“It’s nice to bring them into the agency and watch them develop,” Sprague said. “The most satisfying thing is bringing in people into the department who want to be here and want to succeed.”
Sprague’s duties also include coordinating ongoing training for the officers and other department personnel.
Being named the department’s top officer was a surprise, he said.
“But it’s quite a compliment, and it is quite the honor.”
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
