Spring ISD : Spring ISD Celebrates Police Service, Promotions And New Hires With Officers And Their Families

Press release from Spring Independent School District:

June 15, 2021

Over the past year of a global pandemic, hurricanes and a freezing winter storm, it is comforting to see officers from the Spring ISD police department as they hold the line against the worst of times. On Saturday morning, these officers gathered for the best of times, a celebration of service and a recognition of achievement. 

About 16 members of the Spring ISD police department and their families gathered in the Randall Reed Center at the district’s Planet Ford Stadium. Each officer was individually called to the stage where they were recognized for their years of service to the district, or to officially honor them for promotions received over the past year. 

Spring ISD Police Chief Ken Culbreath took special note of the group’s dedication during an especially difficult year.

“Some of these promotions occurred in the height of COVID, which I think speaks to their character, that they chose to serve in the middle of a pandemic. It speaks to who they are. We weren’t able to do this then, so we just brought everything together today,” said Culbreath.

The group was welcomed to the event by Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Rodney E. Watson, who called the officers peacemakers for the district and the community. Administrators and board members were also on hand to honor the staff. 

As Vincent Olivarri was called to the stage to be recognized for his promotion to sergeant, he had no doubt about what drives him as he works to keep the campuses safe. It’s his family. Sgt. Olivarri’s six children are all current or former Spring ISD students, and he said it was extremely important that the officers were able to celebrate these achievements with their families.

“This means a lot to me that they are involved in what I do, and what I do on a day-to-day basis. They can see who I work with and get a picture and a glimpse of what I do in the district. They are part of my why – why I do what I do in the district,” said Olivarri.

Chief Culbreath also got to swear in a new officer, Bryce Allen, who said he has wanted to be involved in public service since he was in high school.

“I really want to be on the campus … and impact our kid’s lives. Just being there and building that community relationship,” said Allen, noting that he felt a rush of emotions as he took his oath. 

Working with students and building relationships is something that Chief Culbreath stresses in the department and it’s something that was recognized by Spring ISD Board of Trustees Vice President Winford Adams Jr. during his remarks to department staff and their families. 

“I think the thing that the Chief really understands is our focus on students, and I see that with the officers. And the officers recognized and promoted here today are exemplars of the district’s core values, and they are key agents in our collective struggle to manifest our vision,” said Adams.

Culbreath remarked that Officer Allen was the first officer that the district hired and sponsored at the police academy. That’s also a big component of the district’s strategic initiative – to grow a talent pipeline that brings excellent candidates to Spring ISD to live and work.

An additional example of homegrown talent that is benefitting the district’s police force is Robert Tyler, who was called up to the stage to announce his promotion to Lieutenant in addition to being recognized for 20 years of service.  

Lt. Tyler’s long history with Spring ISD was a fact that Chief Culbreath was eager to share, saying, “Lt. Tyler started here as an officer, promoted to corporal, promoted to sergeant, and now is lieutenant. So he’s gone through the ranks, and we are just repeating that cycle. We want to grow our own here in Spring, because we know that Spring is the best place to grow.”

Recognized for 15 years of service:
Eugene Gutierrez, Bernie Saintes, Eric Fisher and Charles Ormond

Recognized for 20 years of service:
Clyde Spradlin, Robert Tyler, Marvin Marks and Wayland Edwards

New Hires to Emergency Management:
Warren Porter and Allyson Kelly

Promoted to Telecommunications Lead:
Glen Nickleson

Promoted to Crime Analyst:
Raycinda Buxton and Jeffrey West

Promoted to Special Unit Transfers:
Ashley Walker, Andre Saulter and Ryan Flannelly

Promoted to Lieutenant:
Robert Tyler, David Borchardt and Max Toliver

Promoted to Sergeant:
Vincent Olivarri

Promoted to Corporal:
Andre Jones

Promoted to Detective:
Jarrod Morton and Laura Burk

Promoted to Officer:
Chris Gutierrez and Bryce Allen

This press release was produced by Spring Independent School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.