Rios joined the SPPD as a full-time dispatcher in November 1999 and her intimate knowledge of the city has served the department and citizens well.“Since she was raised in Santa Paula she has an excellent working knowledge of city streets,” noted Chief Gonzales. “Gena knows each alley, each street and all the nooks and crannies in the city,” an invaluable tool when dealing with callers in distress and directing assistance from police and fire personnel.“I wouldn’t want to work for any other agency,” than the Santa Paula Police Department, said Rios as she accepted the Public Safety Officer of the Month award plaque from Chief Gonzales and Chamber of Commerce President Jim McCoy.
SPPD Dispatcher Gena Rios honored by Chamber
January 21, 2000
Santa Paula News
Santa Paula Police Department Dispatcher Gena Rios was honored by the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce as the Public Safety Officer of the Month during the monthly Good Morning Santa Paula! on January 11.
The chamber meeting was held at Logsdon’s at the Santa Paula Airport.Santa Paula Police Chief Bob Gonzales noted his appreciation that the chamber regularly honors city public safety personnel for their efforts on behalf of the community.Rios, a Santa Paula native who was honored as the 1999 Santa Paula Police Officers Association Dispatcher of the Year, was singled out by the chamber for her dedication to the oft times difficult job of being the first contact people in need have when they face an emergency.Rios became a SPPD Cadet in March 1996 and “took a liking to dispatch,” said Chief Gonzales. In April 1999 she resigned to work for the department on a part-time basis while she “took the initiative to put herself through Dispatch Academy,” he added.
