HEMET: Local dispatcher honored at recent ceremony
HEMET – Some would say law enforcement officers are not given enough recognition for their actions during a normal shift. It would be safe to say that those behind the scenes, such as emergency dispatchers and volunteers, get even less recognition.
That all changed for one City of Hemet 911 dispatcher, Cindy Clausen, Monday, March 27.
City of Hemet emergency dispatcher Cindy Clausen was presented a plaque from Ted Morgan, of the I love San Jacinto Valley Facebook group. HPD photo
Clausen, who is scheduled to retire next month, was getting ready for Monday’s graveyard shift when she was summoned out to the west side of the Police Department.
When she walked into the area, she was greeted by cheers from a large group that included officers and employees she worked with, elected officials and citizens who are members of the “I love San Jacinto Valley!” Facebook group.
Local officials in attendance included Hemet Mayor Linda Krupa, Hemet Council Member Karlee Meyer, San Jacinto Council Member Russ Utz, Hemet City Manager Alex Meyerhoff, and Hemet Police Chief Dave Brown.
During a short ceremony, Clausen was recognized for more than twenty-two years of service to the San Jacinto Valley during a ceremony put together by local Facebook group, I love San Jacinto Valley!
Clausen was presented with a plaque and Hemet Police Chief Dave Brown spoke about the dispatcher’s decades of dedicated service to the community. Mt Plaza Mail Pac & Ship in Valle Vista provided the plaque.
Chief Brown described Clausen as “a dependable employee who has managed to handle thousands of stressful incidents in her career and has served as one of the cornerstones to the 911 operations call center.” (Click link to view video of ceremony.)
Ted Morgan, leader of the group I love San Jacinto Valley addresses a crowd gathered to honor 22 year dispatcher, Cindy Clausen. HPD photo
Ted Morgan – the leader of the I love San Jacinto Valley Facebook group who also happens to be a retired deputy – described to the gathered group the challenging issues dispatchers faces daily.
Morgan also described how difficult it can be for dispatchers, who often do not get the same closure after an incident that many officers get while working in the field.
This was not the first time Morgan’s group has honored a City of Hemet employee. Last October, the group honored Hemet Police Officer Young, for an August, 2016 incident where the officer disarmed and apprehended a probationer who had an active felony warrant.
The suspect was found to be in possession of a loaded, 9mm, semi-automatic handgun with an illegal, high-capacity magazine. The gun had been reported stolen nine days earlier.
Downtown Deli & Coffee Company graciously provided Clausen’s entire shift with sandwiches and soft drinks – enough for about forty people – during the ceremony. Harvard St. Bakery and Cafe in Hemet provided cupcakes.
Ted Morgan, Cindy Clausen and Hemet Police Chief Dave Brown. Ellie Morgan/I love San Jacinto Valley! photo
“I think sometimes our dispatchers can be overlooked when people talk about first responders,” Steve Covington, owner of Downtown Deli & Coffee Company said after the ceremony. “Dispatch is the backbone of what makes public safety really work.”
Covington continued, “These community activism groups – such as I love San Jacinto Valley! – that have come together in the past five years have really brought our citizens together. It’s given a little heart back to our valley.”
Clausen, who said she was very surprised she was honored at the ceremony later wrote on social media, “Thank you to ‘I love San Jacinto Valley!’ This was a complete surprise and I am completely honored for this recognition!”
Clausen, who said her decision to retire in May was a difficult one, wrote, “”I love my job, Hemet Police Department, Hemet Fire Department and our valley.”
“My career will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Clausen wrapped up the short ceremony by saying she was thankful for the love and support she had been shown by her community.
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Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg and breaking his back in an off-duty accident.
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.