Martinez Police Welcome New Officer, Honor One Of Their Own

The Martinez Police Department officially has a new face on the streets.

Walter Boyce pinned the silver badge on his son, Jeffrey, to the roar of applause as the Martinez Police Department officially welcomed its newest officer.

Jeffrey Boyce was sworn in as a full-time police officer during the Martinez City Council meeting on June 4. Boyce had been working as a reserve officer with the Martinez Police since September 2012.

"I received reports that (then-reserve) Officer Boyce was working all the time. He was taking cases and making arrests and doing all the things you'd expect from a full-time sworn police officer," Martinez Police Chief Gary Peterson said as he introduced Boyce.

"He proved that being a hard worker and gaining the right experiences will pay off. I think he'll fit right in in this community," Chief Peterson continued.

Boyce came highly recommended to the Martinez Police Department after working as a volunteer and cadet with the Davis Police Department in the city where he grew up. Boyce was sworn in as a reserve officer on Sept. 6, 2012.

Boyce is one of four new hires in the department.

Following Boyce's swearing in, Chief Peterson honored Detective Patrick Salamid with the Chief's Commendation for his work on a child abuse case. Det. Salamid investigated a case of a stepfather who had allegedly been abusing a child in the home. Det. Salamid dug into the case which other agencies had already been building for a year.

Building the case wasn't easy, it seems, as the victim at one point recanted an earlier statement and the mother — described as hostile toward law enforcement — temporarily moved the child to Oregon. Det. Salamid continued the investigation, however, talking with school officials and neighbors and friends of the victim until he had enough evidence to bring the case to the District Attorney's Office.

"Because of Patrick's professionalism, skill, tenacity and persistence, charges were filed and a child abuser is being held accountable and a child victim may have some justice," Chief Peterson said.