The Yakima Police Department (YPD) will celebrate the promotion of several of its members to higher ranks and the recent retirement of several department members during the YPD’s annual awards ceremony on Friday, March 29th at the Harman Senior Center (101 North 65th Avenue). The presentation of several special awards will also take place during the event. The ceremony will begin at 5:30 pm.
The ceremony is open to the public.
During the ceremony, recent YPD retirees will be honored. Formal promotions, which include the pinning of new badges, will take place for the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. Members of the YPD who have demonstrated meritorious service over the past year will be recognized and the Non-Commissioned Employee of the Year Award and Officer of the Year Award will be presented.
“The annual awards ceremony provides an opportunity for the entire community to salute the outstanding efforts and dedication of the YPD staff,” said Interim Yakima Police Chief Gary Jones. “The ceremony is a small way for us all to acknowledge the tremendous contributions members of the YPD make to Yakima.”
During the ceremony, a moment of silence will also be observed to honor Kittitas County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Thompson, who was killed in the line of duty on March 19th.
A news release that will include the names of the members of the YPD honored during the ceremony will be issued following the ceremony.