Seal Beach Police Promote From Within, New Hires Added

SEAL BEACH, CA — There are 33 officers and two more openings for those that protect and serve the city of Seal Beach. Three new hires, as well as two open positions bring that number to 35 when all is said and done according to Interim Police Chief Joe Miller. New officers Jordan Mirakian, Nicholas Lacarra-Baker and Jacob Fillers were sworn in on Jan. 10. Promoted officers include Sgt. Joe Hardin, Cpl. Eric Hendry, Cpl. Joe Garcia, Officer Ryan Bedard Officer Ben Jaipream, Police Aide Kevin Castellanos and Police Aide Dana Friedrichs.

Miller told Sun Newspapers that he would like to see as many as 45 or 46 sworn officers on the Seal Beach Police force, though it is unclear when or if that will happen. A tax increase would be needed in order to fund those positions, though Miller finds it necessary to do so with the rise of violent crime in the city.

The interim chief has been beating the drum for more cops since Coffee With A Cop in October of 2017. In November, he discussed the idea with the Seal Beach city council, which approved the new hires and the budget to pay them with from the city's designated "pool fund.," according to the Sun. That fund hold roughly $4.8 million in reserve, and was set aside in 2008 to build an aquatic facility to replace the pool at J. H. McGaugh Elementary school.

$358,900 was borrowed to pay first-year salaries of the new hires, the Sun said.

(from left to right, standing): Keven Castellanos, Dana Friedrichs, Nicholas LaCarra, Jacob Fillers, Ryan Bedard, Jordan Mirakian, Ben Jaipream, (City Clerk Robin Roberts administering the oath of office), Eric Hendry, Joe Garcia, Joe Hardin.

Seal Beach Police Photo