Making history: Joining the ranks
LAKEPORT >> Former probation officer, Katie Morfin, has joined the Lakeport Police Department as a police trainee.
Morfin spoke via phone call about leaving the probation department to join the LPD. “I’ve always wanted to be in law enforcement and being an officer was always my goal. When an opening came up in the PD, it was a good time to make the change.”
“I can remember being in seventh grade, that it was my dream to be in law enforcement. I grew up in a family of law enforcement; a long line — my maternal grandfather, two maternal uncles and my dad. They were all California Highway Patrol (CHP). I wanted to try something a little different.”
“I’m very excited about this,” Morfin said, her excitement distinct even through the phone line. “I fully understand the length of time for training and have a support system with my family. My husband is very proud of me and is fully supportive.”
With two months training at the Lakeport office to learn the ropes, then five months of training and graduation at the Santa Rosa Police Academy, then a final two months with the LPD for field training, 23-year-old Morfin, mother of one, will become the
third ever female police officer at the LPD.
With training at the Police Academy at Santa Rosa Junior College being five months in duration, there’s a question of COVID safety. Associate Dean of Santa Rosa Junior College; Director Lanny Brown of the Intensive Basic Police Academy said, “We’ve been COVID free since June. Students are seated six feet apart indoors, wearing masks and everyone has been temperature screened. In some training that is in close contact and direct contact, such as an arrest situation, extra precaution is taken with cleaning and sanitizers. We are very proud of our COVID protocols, which are in alignment with Center for Disease Control standards.”
“I’m excited to hire her,” said police Chief Brad Rasmussen. “She’s a life-long resident of Lake County and knows a lot about our community. She’s had good experience at the Probation Department and was a probation officer for five-six years.”
Rasmussen said that he’s always excited to hire local people. “She’s the third one in a row that we’ve been able to hire from the community. When we hire locally; we’re investing in the local community, they have connections here already and they are more like to stay employed with us and not go to another county.”
Rasmussen added, “We’ll then have three female police officers, which is the most we’ve ever had in our 133 years, since 1888. It’s making history. And it’s a good balance of department staffing to have both male and female officers. Females can do the job just as well as males.”
“She’s a lifelong resident of Lake County and knows a lot about our community. She’s had good experience at the Probation Department and was a probation officer for fivesix years.”
— Police Chief Brad Rasmussen
Morfin’s father, Kory Reynolds, who is a retired CHP said, “We’re very proud of Kate for sticking with it. It’s nice to see your kids reach their goals. Everyone is happy for her because she’s been talking about it since high school.”
Asked if he’s worried about her being in law enforcement, Reynolds said, “I think that in today’s day and age, it takes a special person to do that job. For us, it’s just something you do. Katie’s going to do good.”