Lakeport Police volunteers, from left, include Gary Williamson, Theresa Harter, Debi England, Pat McFarland, Jonathan McAloon and Fred Gaul. Photo courtesy of Lakeport Police.

LAKEPORT – On Tuesday, Lakeport Police Department recognized a group of very special people who work behind the scenes to assist in making the city safer.

The department held an afternoon barbecue and gathering to honor police volunteers Pat McFarland, Debi England, Theresa Harter, Fred Gaul, Gary Williamson and Jonathan McAloon.

Joining the celebration were Lakeport City Council members Jim Irwin and Bob Rumfelt, and Mayor Buzz Bruns.

The group worked nearly 1,300 hours during the 2007 calendar year, which helped save more than $15,000 in staff time, according to a department report.

The department had a volunteer program in the early 1990s, but the volunteer officers were hired and the program eventually lapsed, said Lt. Brad Rasmussen.

Last year, however, they wanted to start a new program, said Police Chief Kevin Burke.

“So many police departments have them now,” said Burke.

When the department hired Officer Mark Hommer, who formerly worked with the Lake County Sheriff's Office, Burke said he came with experience managing volunteers which they drew on to create the new program.

The volunteers go through a selection process, which Burke said includes a background check and other screenings.

There are no requirements as to how much time volunteers have to work, Burke explained. “They can work as much or as little as they are able.”

Lakeport Police's core group of volunteers have shown themselves willing and able to give a lot of their time to the city.

McFarland said her duties include records management and data entry. She also took domestic violence prevention training and is the secretary for the task force of officers and District Attorney's investigators pursuing the Barbara LaForge murder investigation.

England's responsibilities include traffic control at major events like parades and bass tournaments.

Harter, who recently started as a school safety volunteer, works about 10 hours a week at the Lakeport Elementary School parking lot, overseeing traffic while children are being dropped off at school

Rasmussen said the department has received a lot of positive comments from administrators and parents alike as a result of Harter's work to increase safety for children.

Williamson currently is in the academy in order to become a reserve police officer. He said he's due to be sworn in as a reserve officer in July.

Gaul, who also is a member of the Clearlake Planning Commission, comes over from Clearlake to work on parking and code enforcement, do vehicle maintenance, and help with parade traffic control and the portable radar trailer.

The department also has two chaplains – Father Ted Oswald of St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church and Rev. Mike Suski of Lakeport Christian Center.

Rev. Mike Suski of Lakeport Christian Center is one of Lakeport Police's chaplains. Photo courtesy of Lakeport Police.

Oswald and Suski said they accompany officers on death notifications, offering support to the families and, when it's needed, to the officers themselves. 

Helping Oswald is his therapy dog, Rosie, a golden retriever who he says “has a calming effect” on people who are facing stressful situations.

Father Ted Oswald and his two dogs, incluidng Rosie the golden retriever, who accompanies him on some of his police missions. Photo courtesy of Lakeport Police.

Still in the future, said Burke, are plans to form an Explorer Post for teenage volunteers.

For more information about the volunteer program, call Lakeport Police at 263-5491.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

{mos_sb_discuss:2}