Police Commission commends two 50-year veterans

By Brent Begin, Bay City News Service

December14, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - The San Francisco Police Commission conducted a lighthearted meeting yesterday with the commendation of two officers who recently celebrated their golden anniversaries with the department and another about to leave on a Fulbright research fellowship.

Inspector Martin Bastiani of the sexual assault section and Sgt. Jim Wertz of the support services division both recently finished 50 years with the San Francisco Police Department.

Police commission President Louise Renne handed both men framed certificates for their service and police Chief Heather Fong introduced the men.

"It's not uncommon for them to walk down the hallway and they see someone with a name tag ... and they'll say, 'you know, I think I know your father,' and then the question would go to, 'no, I think I know your grandfather,'" Fong said to a room full of laughter.

"These are two phenomenal gentlemen who have served so long in our department," Fong continued.

Both men continue to work for the Police Department.

Also at the meeting, Lt. Colleen Fatooh, who has served as a liaison with the school district and as the director of youth services for the Police Department, announced that she will spend three months in England on the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship program.

The program will allow Fatooh, a 21-year-veteran, to spend time working with authorities in London and the surrounding area where many of the same problems regarding youth are occurring.

"This is an incredible opportunity for both me and the department to exchange ideas and to gather knowledge from the international community," Fatooh said.

Also at the meeting, Deputy Police Chief Charles Keohane gave an update on the long-awaited early intervention system.

The system, which would track potential problems in the department by monitoring stressful incidents such as major pursuits and officer-involved shootings, was first proposed in February and has hit several hurdles on its way to becoming policy.

One thing that has held the system is the back-and-forth between the Police Officers Association and the Office of Citizen Complaints, but according to Keohane, most of the problems have been ironed out and the system should be ready some time in early January.

Commisioner Joe Marshall was excused from the meeting.

Copyright © 2006 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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