Cops In Tutus Celebrate Retirement

NEWARK, CA — If you were out of town last week or caught up in Thanksgiving planning or events, you may have missed the superb Facebook post from the Newark Police Department about the retirement of Sergeants Manuel DeSerpa and Ray Hoppe. Their official retirement dates are in December.

While we salute the pair and wish them the best in the next chapter of their lives, we also salute whoever is responsible for getting them to don tutus and then posting proof of the tutu incident on Facebook.

And now, more on their distinguished careers -

St. Manuel DeSerpa spent 26 years in law enforcement, including 22 with the Newark Police Department. His official retirement date is December 18, 2017. He is a former Newark Police Officer of the Year.

DeSerpa began his career with the Hayward Police Department. He was hired by the Newark Police Department on August 28, 1995. As an officer, he served two terms as a Robbery/Homicide Detective. He also worked as an Acting Sergeant until his official promotion to Sergeant on November 1, 2008. During his time as a Sergeant he worked as the Patrol Sergeant and the Detective Sergeant overseeing the detectives as well as Property & Evidence.

He has been a Field Training Officer, Hostage Negotiations Team Member and Team Leader, a Reserve Officer Coordinator, Range Instructor and Range Master, and Citizen Police Academy Instructor.

His awards include the Winter 2006 Employee of the Quarter, The 2006 Officer of the Year, two Department Gold Awards, two Department Silver Awards, and three Department Blue Awards. He also received an award from the CHP for his efforts in vehicle theft interdiction.

St. Raymond (Ray) Hoppe served 33 years in law enforcement, including the last 19 with the Newark Police Department. His official retirement date is December 21, 2017.

Hoppe began his career with the City of Fremont. He was hired as a Community Services Officer (CSO) with the Newark Police Department on April 16, 1998. He served as a CSO until his appointment to Police Officer Trainee on June 1, 1999, and ultimately Police Officer on December 12, 1999.

During his time as an officer he was a Field Training Officer, Bicycle Patrol Officer, Honor Guard Member, K9 Agitator, Citizen Police Academy Instructor, and served for seven years as a K9 Handler with his partner “Uras”. Uras was certified in in both narcotics and SWAT & K9’s Interacting During Deployment School (SKIDD). Ray and Uras served the department’s SWAT team for six years.

Hoppe served as an Acting Sergeant until his official promotion to Police Sergeant on November 1, 2012. He has served as a Patrol Sergeant, K9 Sergeant, and Traffic Sergeant.

His awards include a City of Newark Pride Award, the Chief’s Challenge Coin Award, a Department Employee of the Quarter in 2002, two Department Silver Awards, and four Department Blue Awards.

-Photo via Newark Police Department