Police department gains new officers

Laguna Beach Police Chief Michael Sellers and City Clerk Martha Anderson issued the oath of office Wednesday to three new additions to the Laguna Beach Police Department. A fourth took her oath of office Monday.

Two will be serving as police officers, while the other two are beginning careers as police dispatchers.

?Police Officer Henry Duchene Jr. comes to the department with an extensive law enforcement background. Duchene started his career as a police officer in Fort Worth, Texas. He then transferred to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department where he had a successful 26-year career. Most recently, he was employed as a deputy sheriff with the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Department. He and his wife are happy to be back in Southern California and away from the East Coast humidity.

?Police Officer Rock Wagner hails from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, having spent 15 years with that agency, most recently holding the rank of sergeant. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cal Poly Pomona, and he and his family reside in the Orange County area.

?Dispatcher Jennifer Gumina, who was sworn in Monday, spent the last 10 years as a dispatcher with the Anaheim Police Department. She is an Orange County native and says she is glad to be working in a beautiful beach community.

?Dispatcher Alicia Gutierrez was originally hired as a records specialist in early 2008, but her desire was to move back into the dispatch center. When a position became available, Gutierrez went back to her “dream job.” She was previously employed as a dispatcher with the Cal State Fullerton and Santa Ana police departments. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Cal State Fullerton.

The new employees will all start an extensive training program prior to being certified to work independently.

CINDY FRAZIER is city editor of the Coastline Pilot. She can be contacted at (949) 494-2087 or cindy.frazier@latimes.com.