Sandy Springs Officers No Strangers To Serving The Community

Submitted by the Sandy Springs Police Department

Three new officers with the Sandy Springs Police Department cultivated their interest in protecting and serving the public by taking advantage of community programs offered by the agency.

In January, Will Oppermann joined Sandy Springs police following service with the Peachtree City Police Department. While a student at Riverwood International Charter School, Oppermann was a member of Sandy Springs Police Department’s Explorers Post 59.

Lauren Ruffini, who attended Kennesaw State University, also interned with Sandy Springs police between 2011 and 2012. After serving with DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, she returned to Sandy Springs and joined the police force in 2014.

Craig Manne was originally a member of the Sandy Springs Police Volunteer Program and staff member for the Citizens Police Academy. For several years, Craig logged more volunteer hours than any other in the program. Following the footsteps of his two peers, he joined Sandy Springs police in 2014.

All three officers are products of community programs, which are part of the overall outreach effort Sandy Springs police initiated when it launched in 2006.

“Our investment into the community has provided long-standing benefits to both our residents and the department,” said Chief Ken DeSimone. “These officers validate that effort.”

The Sandy Springs Police Department offers programs such as the Citizens Police Academy, Volunteers in Police Services, Citizens on Patrol, Police Explorers, Police Reserve Program and a College Intern Program. Other short-term initiatives include Firearms Safety Class, Women’s Self-Defense, Teen Driver’s Safety Program and Child Safety Class.

For more information on SSPD’s Community Affairs Programs, contact Sergeant Ron Momon at 770-551-6947 or visit the agency’s website.

Photo: from left to right, officers Lauren Ruffini, Will Oppermann and Craig Manne. Credit: Sandy Springs Police