PRESS RELEASE
City of Porterville
291 N. Main Street
Porterville, CA 93257
www.ci.porterville.ca.us/newslist.php
For more information contact:
Yuriko Velarde, Administrative Analyst
yvelarde@ci.porterville.ca.us
October 3, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PORTERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMEMORATES MULTIPLE EMPLOYEE PROMOTIONS
The Porterville Police Department (PPD) held a Badge Pinning Ceremony on Monday, September 25, 2023, to commemorate the promotion of several of its employees. It was a momentous occasion attended by many local dignitaries, colleagues, friends, family and various law enforcement agencies from around Tulare County.
Porterville Chief of Police Jake Castellow proudly announced the promotion of Diana Azevedo to Senior Records Clerk, Orlando Ortiz promoted to Police Lieutenant, Ron Moore promoted to Police Captain, and Dominic Barteau promoted to Assistant Police Chief. Chief Castellow also recognized Police Captain Josh Maniss, who was promoted in 2021 but was unable to have a promotional ceremony due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time. These employees have all been with the PPD for a number of years and have demonstrated exceptional commitment and dedication to the Department, the City and the residents of Porterville.
Diana Acevedo started with the PPD in 2015 and has developed various processes to streamline tasks in the unit. She trains all new employees on the operation of the Records Unit and is a valuable asset to the Department. Lieutenant Orlando Ortiz began his career with the PPD in 2013 and has held several assignments since then. He first began his public service career by serving in the United States Marine Corp, and has continued his public service work through law enforcement. Captain Ron Moore has been in law enforcement for twenty-five (25) years, seventeen (17) of which have been with the PPD. He was recognized as Deputy of the Year by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office in 2006, and was named Officer of the Year by PPD in 2008. Captain Moore also has thousands of hours of advanced Officer training and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Management. Captain Maniss has been with the PPD since 2001 and has served in many assignments over his tenure. Captain Maniss started his law enforcement career in 1998 and lateralled to the PPD in 2001. During his time at the PPD, he has worked in several Divisions and has held various duties, including K9 Handler. Captain Maniss holds a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s in Criminology. Assistant Chief Dominic Barteau has served in public safety for over twenty-three (23) years. He started his career with the PPD in 2004 and has demonstrated significant growth in the various assignments he’s held. He has managed several units, ranging from Narcotics to Animal Control. Assistant Chief Barteau has his Bachelor’s Degree from California State University, Long Beach and his Master’s from University of California, Irvine.
The final recognition of the Ceremony was for Chief Castellow, who was promoted in July 2021, but similar to Captain Maniss, was unable to have a ceremonial pinning due to COVID-19 restrictions at that time. Chief Castellow has worked in public safety for twenty-nine (29) years, starting his career in his hometown of Woodlake, CA. He lateralled to PPD in 2003 and has managed and supervised every unit since then. He has Bachelor’s Degree in Management, thousands of hours of advanced officer training, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Chief Castellow stated that he was “extremely happy for the promotions as the Department continues to develop future leaders, for it is the people in the Department that truly make it successful and provide the best public safety for the residents of the Porterville community.”
This Ceremony was a moment of pride and success for the Department and for the City. Currently, four of the eight Police Chiefs in Tulare County (Exeter, Farmersville, Lindsay and Porterville) are products of the Porterville Police Department, as well as the new Police Chief in Tehachapi (Richard Standridge).
