GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The Gridley-Biggs Police Department is excited to announce the addition of two new officers, sworn into office Monday evening at the February 3^rd City Council meeting.

Police Chief Allen Byers invited the two officers up to the podium, presenting them to the Council and swearing them into service.

Officer Emmanuel Soto and Officer Nou Lor will be filling one standing vacant position at the GBPD and one position left vacant when Sergeant Hameed Khan retired. Officer Soto and Officer Lor come highly recommended from those at the academy, shares Chief Byers expressing his excitement to have these new recruits joining the GBPD force. In addition to their other qualifications, both officers are bilingual.

Officer Soto, a native of Colusa, shares that he has had an interest in law enforcement since his youth. Officer Soto shared that he grew up in a rough neighborhood, often observing violent activities and saw how much of an impact that law enforcement made. “I wanted to be a part of that; I wanted to have that same impact.” He began his path of service, working for the community as a Colusa City Volunteer Fire Fighter, earning his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Kaplan College and taking the final step toward his dream at the BC Police Academy. “I take on this challenge to serve this community the best I can,” says Officer Soto with pride.

Officer Lor also hails from a small town in our area, Hamilton City.  He too has had an interest in Law Enforcement since his youth and joins his older brother in the field. He shares, “When we were young, we always thought about law enforcement because we just wanted to give back to the community.” Officer Lor received his Bachelor of Criminal Justice from Chico State University. Once he started his classes, he was hooked and knew that his future was in Law Enforcement. He expects the transition from the Hamilton City area to Gridley to be an easy one, saying, “I’m super excited to work for this wonderful city – really.”