CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department has welcomed a new dispatcher and a new officer.

During Thursday’s Clearlake City Council meeting, Police Chief Andrew White swore in new police officer, Melinda Wymer, and new police dispatcher, Kristiana Outen.

“Recruitment and retention are a top priority for our agency and are critical to providing quality service and reducing crime,” said White.

“Officer Wymer is a familiar face, having worked in various jobs at Clearlake Police Department. Notably, she first joined the department after graduating from one of our citizens’ academies. We look forward to seeing the positive impact she will make in her new position,” White said.

“Dispatcher Outen was born and raised in Lake County and worked her way up through the ranks of the local CHP Explorer program. We are excited to welcome her to our organization,” he added.

With the addition of Wymer, White said his agency now has five female officers. That’s out of a total of 24 sworn personnel – from officers to sergeants, command staff and White himself.

Retiring Clearlake Mayor Nick Bennett, who worked for the Clearlake Police Department for 20 years as a sergeant, told Lake County News that the current number of female officers is the most the agency has ever had.

“We continue to encourage our employees to reach their personal career goals and Officer Wymer, who began as a volunteer with our police department and continued through her career path to animal control officer and now police officer, embodies the determination we love to see,” said City Manager Alan Flora. “Additionally, police dispatcher Outen is another employee who lives in and works for her community. We continue working to further the council's strategic plan goal to make Clearlake a safer, cleaner city.”