Community shows its appreciation of police

The community showed its support for and appreciation of the Shafter Police Department recently when a group presented the department with gift bags and lunch.

Chief Kevin Zimmermann said the group gave the officers tote bags full of items including a water bottle, coffee mug, stress ball, gift cards and other items. Each water bottle had the officer's badge number on it, which was very special, Zimmermann said. "This means so much to me and the department, especially in this time of challenges we are in." he said. "This is normally a demanding job, but with recent events, it has been even more of a challenge. Things like this mean more than they can imagine."

The bags were presented by Sandy McCuan and her husband, Scott, on behalf of a large group of residents who wanted to show their appreciation of the job the department does for the community. Other members in the community who were involved included John and Donna Coletti, Troy and Betty Witham, Katrina Huckins, Jack and Jariann Hudson, Mark and Debbie Kindell, Randy Packer, David and Rita McGill, Sofie Zimmermann, Andy and Kim Kitsch, Nicole Escalera, Justin and Chelsey McCulley, Susan England, Dean and Susie Whaley, David and Tammy Powers, Chuck Zavala, and Martina Nino, among others.

The department has, like many other departments, has been under pressure as law enforcement has come under scrutiny in the wake of national protests.

The Shafter Police Department has worked to build its connection to the community with events like Coffee With a Cop and A Night Out with the Shafter PD. However, the coronavirus pandemic made such events impossible to hold.

The presentation comes at a time when the community is connecting with the department even with the obstructions due to the pandemic.