Two El Cerrito Police Officers Honored

Two El Cerrito police officers have been honored by separate organizations recently for outstanding service, both in the area of traffic safetly.

Sgt. Lauren Caputo

At a statewide recognition dinner Saturday in Sacramento, Sgt. Lauren Caputo received a MADD California Hero Award for his contributions to the campaign against drunk driving. MADD is known also as Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

More than 600 people from 53 of the state's 58 counties attended the event that honors law enforcement officers and agencies who've excelled in efforts to stop drunken driving, promote public education about its dangers and prevent underage drinking.

A total of 170 officers from a variety of law enforcement agencies around the state received the California Hero Award.

The list of honorees from MADD includes the following description for Caputo:

“The officers recognized at this event have made huge sacrifices in their lives to become the top in the field of traffic safety and enforcement," Silas Miers, MADD California Law Enforcement Program Specialist, said in a prepared statement. "These are the top officers in the state for DUI Enforcement and many have additional duties within the department.”

MADD is a nonprofit organization dedicated to combatting drunk driving. The recognition dinner was held at the Hyatt Regency in Sacramento.

Officer Carlos Maldonado

The El Cerrito City Council Tuesday night passed a resolution commending Officer Carlos Maldonado for being named El Cerrito Officer of the Year by the Albany-El Cerrito Exchange Club.

Maldonado, who graduated from the police academy and began field training on April 26, 2010, "excelled in traffic safety efforts, leading his division in contacting hazardous drivers," the resolution says.

In comments to the council, Police Chief Sylvia Moir praised Maldonado's performance, saying, "He quickly distinguished himself as an officer that was willing to do absolutely anything – in the rain, in the heat, in the dead of night, in the light of day – to serve this community."

Maldonado also stepped to the microphone, telling the council, "It's been two years since I was hired in 2009. I started ... and am loving every single day I come to work. Our mission statement – that's what I have in mind every time I wake up at four in the morning when I come to work. Our mission statement is we're committed to safety, service, and enhancing of public trust, to professionalism and leadership."

The Exchange Club annually honors an officer from each of several local law enforcement agencies.