Property and Evidence Officer William Mooney. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A 16-year veteran of the Lakeport Police Department has been honored for his contributions to the agency and service to the community.

Property and Evidence Officer William “Bill” Mooney was named “Officer of the Year” and recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2015-Lakeport, which honored Mooney and presented him with a plaque at the group's Christmas Party in Lakeport on Dec. 13.

At the Tuesday night Lakeport City Council meeting, acting Police Chief Brad Rasmussen also presented Mooney with a proclamation from the council for his outstanding service to the community.

Department Records Director Ellen Dills, who supervises the department property and evidence function compiled the following information regarding Mooney’s work history.

Mooney went to the Lakeport Police Department on Jan. 4, 1995, as a volunteer through the RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), and assigned to the property and evidence function. His organizational skills, perseverance and commitment have transformed the department's property and evidence room into a first class facility.

He quickly earned the respect of the entire law enforcement community because of his knowledge and dedication to this task he had been given. He continually sought out training classes and conferences, and joined several appropriate organizations for making contacts and networking within the property and evidence field, according to the department.

Mooney's knowledge of the rules and laws that govern the handling of property and evidence, as well as the high degree of professionalism that he brings to the Lakeport Police Department have made him invaluable to the organization, Rasmussen said.

His reputation as being an expert in his field quickly spread throughout the law enforcement community. In April of 1997 Mooney was sought out by the Lake County Narcotic Task Force, and asked to work for them as their evidence custodian / technician. He performed the same duties and responsibilities; however, he specialized in illegal narcotic enforcement and the complex legal mandates governing that field.

The California Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, during routine audits, consistently rated his property room as an outstanding example of how property and evidence should be handled. Lakeport Police said Mooney's position ended with the Lake County Narcotic Task Force when it closed in March of 2009.

In September of 1999, then-Lakeport Police Chief Tom Engstrom proposed to the Lakeport City Council that Mooney be granted a paid position with the city of Lakeport. At the time of this proposal Chief Engstrom estimated that Mooney had donated 5,570 hours of his time to the department, and that was strictly the time that had actually been documented.

Based on Engstrom's proposal, the Lakeport City Council voted unanimously to approve making Mooney a part-time paid employee.

Rasmussen said that Mooney continues to go above and beyond the call of duty. He is always willing to do whatever it takes to succeed in any task, and if it means arriving early and staying late, there is no hesitation on his part.

Mooney's duties and responsibilities with Lakeport Police include the inventory, storage and preservation of evidence for court and ongoing criminal investigations, returning property to the rightful owners when appropriate, transporting evidence to criminal laboratories located throughout Northern California, destroying property and evidence as mandated by law, maintaining appropriate documentation of transactions, and maintaining professional relationships with other law enforcement and prosecuting agencies, according to Rasmussen.

These functions are vital to a law enforcement agency, are confidential and sensitive in nature and present many opportunities for liability. Rasmussen said Mooney's knowledge and expertise have prevented any liability issues throughout his career.

The agency credits Mooney with fulfilling his duties with the utmost integrity and professionalism. His work ethic and his dedication to the mission of the Lakeport Police Department are unparalleled.

“Bill is truly the backbone of our organization, and serves as a rare example of true and selfless community service,” Rasmussen said.

In addition to various other careers, prior to employment with the city of Lakeport, Mooney served as a captain and battalion executive officer with the California National Guard (State Military Reserve) from 1950 through 1966.

The Lakeport Police Department commended and thanked Mooney for his continued outstanding service to the city and the community. The agency also thanked the members of VFW POST 2015-Lakeport for their support of law enforcement.

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