Four Pasco police officers who stepped up to lead patrol shifts without being asked and without asking for more money were recognized Wednesday with promotions.
Cpls. Jamie Raebel, John Probasco, Jason Miller and Jeff Harpster now are sergeants.
"Each one of these officers have proven to be an asset to the department and community and are worthy of promotion in the police department," said Bob Metzger, Pasco police chief.
The promotions also are part of a department re-organization that Metzger put into place after he was hired four months ago and with support from the captains and police union, he said.
The department no longer will use the rank of corporal, Metzger said.
Metzger also is using the police department's portion of the new criminal justice sale tax revenue to start a street crimes unit.
He said he asked staff members if they would like to use the money to upgrade to a new station, and they all said they wanted the new unit to help address crime in town.
"I think it speaks well of the officers in Pasco," Metzger said.
Metzger is starting to hire six new officers -- four paid for by the sales tax revenue and two to fill positions left open by retirements -- and also is beginning the testing process to fill a new sergeant's position.
The goal is to have the street crimes unit operational by fall, he said.
The four new sergeants are veteran police officers who have held numerous positions with the department throughout their careers:
-- Raebel has worked for Pasco police for 26 years, has been a corporal since 1994 and has spent seven years as a K-9 handler and four years as a detective. He also is the department's first aid and CPR instructor.
-- Probasco is a 25-year veteran with the department who's been a corporal for 22 years.
-- Miller has worked for Pasco police for 17 years, has been a corporal for seven years and previously served as a K-9 handler. He also is a hostage negotiator.
-- Harpster has worked for the department for 11 years and has been a corporal for seven years. He has been a school resource officer, detective and is a vehicle-accident and crime-scene reconstructionist.
Raebel, Probasco and Miller will be shift supervisors on patrol, and Harpster will be the sergeant in charge of the investigative service division.
