On Monday, the Antioch Police Department announced that Desmond Bittner has been promoted to captain while hiring several others within the department.
The promotion comes as Acting Chief Joseph Vigil reported at the February 3 Antioch Police Oversight Commission Meeting, the Antioch Police Department is currently staffed with 80 sworn officers. He said 2 recruits graduated the academy last week and will onboard shortly bringing their total sworn officers to 82.
He further broke down the 82-officers:
- 8 are assigned to field training
- 10 are on long-term lave
- 6 recruits in two academies
- 30 applicants in the hiring pool
- Consulting firm will assist in promoting vacant lieutenant and captain spot
- Chiefs’ recruitment has already started.
Image by APD
Bittner was introduced as police captain:
According to Antioch Police, Captain Desmond Bittner was born and raised in the City of Antioch. He began his law enforcement career with the Antioch Police Department as a police cadet. While working as a Community Service Officer, he was hired as a police officer.
Throughout his time in the Antioch Police Department, Captain Bittner has been promoted through the ranks and has served as a Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and, most recently acted as Captain.
Throughout his career Captain Bittner has worked in investigations, been a recruit training officer at the police academy, and has served as the departments Special Weapons and Tactics commander. He has overseen field services and operations and has never worked in traffic or canine because he does not like writing tickets and is allergic to dogs.
Captain Bitter has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in criminal justice administration. He has also completed Management School and participated in California’s Police Officers Standards and Training Leadership and Wellness Symposium.
He has been married to his wife Kristel for the last twenty-one years and they have a fourteen-year-old son named Patton. In his spare time Captain Bittner enjoys managing his son’s baseball team and practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu. In his younger years, Captain Bittner competed professionally in the world of sports and fitness, which we know to be CrossFit.
Fun Fact: Captain Bittner has known his wife since they were eight years old and have been together since they were sophomores in high school.
L to R: Sirinity Burkett – Records Technician, Canaan Lutu– Police Trainee, Charise Holloway – Police Trainee, Dispatcher Paige Garner.
Other announcements:
- Sirinity Burkett – Records Technician (P/T) Sirinity was born and raised in Antioch. She was busy raising her 3 kids before deciding to go back to work. She has always wanted to work in law enforcement and is excited to be here. She loves baseball, soccer, football, and loves to bake. Fun Fact: Sirinity once won a car on the Price is Right.
- Paige Garner – Dispatcher: Paige is originally from Southern California and moved to Northern California sometime after high school. Prior to being hired as an Antioch Dispatcher, Paige was a manager at Shell gas station in Oakley for 11.5 years. She wanted to grow more professionally so she decided to join Antioch PD as a dispatcher. She is looking forward to this great new journey. Fun Fact: Paige likes taking trips and cooking
- Canaan Lutu Police Trainee: Canaan was Born in Oregon but raised in Long Beach. He moved to the Bay Area when he was in 6th grade. He attended Freedom High School and then Independence High School. He worked in the restaurant industry from age 16-20 and then worked at a car dealership after. Canaan is excited to go to the academy and begin working with APD. Fun Fact: Canaan is a great mechanic!
- Charise Holloway – Police Trainee: Charise was born in Fremont and raised in Tracy. She played basketball at Saint Mary’s Highschool and received a full ride Division 1 scholarship at University of Arizona and received her undergrad in Criminal Justice. Shortly after graduation, she received another full ride Division 1 basketball scholarship to further pursue her career and education at Santa Clara University. Charise graduated with her Master’s Degree in Psychology and Educational Leadership with admiration to join the Law Enforcement and be a part of the Antioch Police Department Family. Fun fact: Charise is fluent in American Sign Languag.
