Merced PD promotes three from within Department

The Merced Police Department had three officers promoted during ceremonies at the Tuesday night Merced City Council meeting.

Interim Police Chief Christopher Goodwin swore in Lt. Alan Ward, Sgt. Edward Drum and Sgt. Joseph Perez during the ceremony in the Council chambers before family, friends, the public and City staff.

Ward has been with the City police for 25 years, having worked his way up the ranks from officer, to corporal and sergeant.  He has supervised the DART Team, Code Enforcement, Animal Control, the Hostage Negotiations Team and the K9 Unit.

He and his wife of 20 years, Annette, have a son, Briaden.

Perez is a 15-year veteran with the Department.  He served in the Gang Violence Suppression Unit, the Disruptive Area Response Team and the Detective Division years.  He has been assigned to the Bomb Squad for the past 6 years. 

In 2012 he was awarded the Merced County Stephan Gray Memorial gang officer of the year award.  He grew up in the Merced area graduating from Golden Valley High School in 1998 and Merced College in 2002. 

Drum was hired by the Department as a trainee in March 2005 while attending the police academy in Modesto. He has served as a field training officer, a member of the Gang Violence Suppression Unit, SWAT Team assistant team leader, Honor Guard, Active Shooter instructor and Arrest and Control instructor.

Drum graduated from Golden Valley High School in 1997 and Merced College in 1999. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Union Institute and University.

He and his wife, Becky, have two daughters.

The pay for lieutenants is $96,613.32 to $117,434.16 a year. The pay for sergeants is $83,460 to $101,446.20 a year.

The City is currently recruiting for both police officers and police officer trainees.  The position of police officer pays $60,507.20 - $73,548.80 a year.  Trainees can earn from $39,187.20 - $47,632.00. More information on the jobs can be found at the City's website, www.cityofmerced.org.