TWO NEW POLICE OFFICERS SWORN IN
Earlier this week, the Woodland Police Department welcomed three new hires, including two police officers and a records specialist, with a traditional swearing-in ceremony.
During the Tuesday evening ceremony, this time inside the city of Woodland Council Chambers located at 300 First St., Police Officers Stephen Sullivan and Jacqueline Diaz and Records Specialist Shanae Jordan were welcomed to the department in front of dozens of family, friends and members of the community and WPD.
Before the ceremonial pinning of the badge and swearing-in that is done by City Clerk Ana Gonzalez, WPD Chief Derrek Kaff said a few words
“One of the things we talk about is that if the community didn't need us, we wouldn't have a job,” Kaff said. “Thats why customer service is so important for the Woodland Police Department.
Whether that be responding to a call or assisting a disabled motorist. We have to be professional, responsible and give our best in every action that we are taking.”
Following the swearing-in by Gonzalez, Sullivan had his father pin his badge, Diaz had her spouse pin hers and Jordan had her mother come up and pin hers.
Officer Sullivan was born in Sacramento and grew up in Roseville.
He grew up playing baseball and competitive soccer. After graduating from Woodcreek High School in 2013, Sullivan worked a variety of security assignments.
He attended Sierra College in Rocklin where he earned his associate's degree in administration of justice before attending both the Sierra and Yuba College Modular Police Academies, graduating in April 2021.
In his free time, Sullivan enjoys activities with friends, playing sports and going on walks with his cowboy corgi (dog). He is very excited to join the Woodland Police Department and work alongside some of his academy classmates and looks forward to working for an agency with strong leadership and community support. He is eager to serve Woodland and positively impact the community.
Officer Diaz was born and raised in Woodland. She showed interest in sports from a young age and joined the Douglass Middle School wrestling team. In high school, she participated in sports such as track and field and basketball, receiving multiple awards.
She began working at 16 at a local Woodland fast food business and knew that it would be the stepping stone needed for job experience to bigger and better opportunities. In 2011, she graduated from Pioneer High School.
In 2011, she attended San Francisco State University. In 2012, she returned to Woodland to raise her oldest son with the help of her family. She enrolled at Woodland Community College and graduated in 2014. She then transferred to Sacramento State and graduated in 2018 with a bachelor's in criminal justice.
Diaz attended the Yuba Community College Police Academy in 2022 and graduated in May 2023. She resides with her partner Dean Newman, and together are raising a blended family of three boys and one girl.
She loves to travel and is always on the lookout for a good pastry or coffee spot.
Records Specialist Jordan was born and raised in Southern California, where she lived until the age of nine.
She relocated to Sacramento and later attended the Chapman University satellite campus located in Irvine from 2009 to 2013, where she received her bachelor's in criminal justice.
Her transition coming into the criminal justice field and working within law enforcement was quite a difficult and long journey, but she always remained dedicated, consistent and hopeful.
In her free time, Jordan enjoys road trips, bowling, boxing workouts and a great hike from time to time.
She is excited to be working for the Woodland Police Department. She hopes to pursue many different opportunities the department has to offer. She is grateful, enjoying the present and extremely excited about the future.