UCPD's Past Featured Employees

The following employees were previously introduced on the Featured Employees page.

Corporal Steven Mendez

Steven Mendez was born and raised in Union City. He attended all local schools (Searles Elementary, Barnard-White Middle School, and James Logan High School). Steven began his career with the Union City Police Department in 1987 as a volunteer Police Explorer, where he rose up the ranks to the position of Captain. Steven was hired as a Records and Communications Cadet in 1989 and then became a Prisoner Transportation Officer in 1991. He was hired as a Police Officer in 1997 and has served in the Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving Unit (C.O.P.P.S) as a Union Landing Officer, and as the Decoto District C.O.P.P.S. Officer. Steven has also served as a Bicycle Patrol Officer/Instructor, Hostage Negotiator, S.W.A.T. team operator, Parent Project co-facilitator/teacher, Field Training Officer, Crime Scene Investigator, and as a Board Member of Centro de Servicios. Steven was promoted to the rank of Corporal in 2006 and is currently assigned to the Investigations Unit. He has returned to his roots and recently volunteered to become the department's Police Explorer Advisor. Steven has three children, is engaged to be married, and enjoys spending time at home with his family and dogs.

Lieutenant Ben Horner

Lieutenant Ben Horner has over twenty years of service with the Union City Police Department, including assignments as a Patrol Officer, School Resource Officer, DARE Officer, Detective Unit, Gang Unit, Personnel and Training, Bicycle Enforcement, and Police Explorer Advisor. Lieutenant Horner is currently in the Operations Division where he oversees Patrol Operations, the Community Policing Unit, Union Landing Substation, and the School Resource Officers. During his spare time Lieutenant Horner likes to play tennis, run, read, and spend time with his family.

Officer Wayne Chapman

Wayne Chapman was sworn in as an Officer of the Union City Police Department in 1988. During this time, he has held the position of Patrol Officer, School Resource Officer assigned to Logan High School, Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) Officer, and a COPPS Officer assigned to Union Landing. Most recently, Officer Chapman was appointed to the position of executive director of the Police Activity League (PAL). Also, he is currently serving his second term as Treasurer of the Union City Police Officers Association . Last year, the Union City Chamber of Commerce selected Officer Chapman to receive the 2003 Community Spirit Award, and his fellow employees voted him the Officer of the Year. Officer Chapman is married and has three grown children.

Sergeant Jim Ferrie

Sergeant Jim Ferrie is currently assigned to Patrol as a Watch Commander. He has been a member of the Union City Police Department since January 1980. Sergeant Ferrie is a Sniper on the SWAT Team and is a Department Firearms Instructor. He has performed many different assignments in his career at the Union City Police Department. They include: Patrol, Burglary Detective, Crimes Against Person Detective and Gang Crime Detective. Sergeant Ferrie also competes in the California Police and Fire Games as well as the World Police and Fire Games. He has won numerous medals in events such as; Biathlon, Cross Country Running, Half Marathon, and Track. He likes to hunt, fish, camp, play golf and of course run.

Community Services Aide Jerry Martinez

Jerry was hired by UCPD in 1990 from the Belmont Police Department, and prior to that earned his bachelor's degree in Administration of Justice from San Jose State University in 1989. As a community service aide, his duties include abatement of abandoned vehicles, handling telephone reports and taking other assorted reports in addition to other miscellaneous duties.

Sergeant Tom Gorrie

Tom Gorrie was raised in Union City and attended the local schools. While attending a Law Enforcement class at James Logan High School, Tom became interested in police services and beginning in 1986 he volunteered as a Reserve Police Officer for the Union City Police Department. Tom was hired as a full time police officer in 1989 and has since served in the positions of Patrol Officer, Traffic Officer, Field Training Officer (FTO),COPPS Corporal, and now Patrol Corporal. Tom has been assigned the duties of SWAT Logistics Officer, Bicycle Patrol Officer, COPPS Corporal assigned to the Union Landing Shopping Center, Technology Committee and is currently involved in the upgrade to the Computer Aided Dispatch system and paperless report writing system. Away from work Tom volunteers as an adult leader for a local Boy Scout troop. Tom’s hobbies are camping, hiking, woodworking, golf, boogie boarding and computers. Tom was promoted to Sergeant in August 2006.

Retired Officer Marv Soares

Marv grew up in Oakland and attended schools there. In 1972 he began his law enforcement career as a Fingerprint Technician with the Alameda County Sheriff's Department. Marv's job entailed the creation of the Alameda County Criminal Records System (CORPUS). Prior to that each law enforcement agency had their own individual records system. In 1972, Marv became an Evidence Technician for the Fremont Police Department. The job allowed Marv to photograph, process and compare evidence from crime scenes, and identify suspects by fingerprints. Eventually Marv wanted to arrest suspects once he had identified them. In 1981 Marv tested with the Union City Police Department and was hired as a Police Officer. He has worked as a School Resource Officer, Detective, Crime Scene Technician, and is currently a Hostage Negotiator. Marv's hobbies include fishing, electronic gadgets, photography, playing guitar and camping. Marv retired in June 2006.

Property Clerk Lorril Fong-Jean

Lorril has been with the Police Department for 16 years. She began her career in law enforcement as a Prisoner Transportation Officer and was promoted to Property Clerk in 1994. She supervises two cadets and oversees all the operations of the evidence/property unit. Lorril has served the City as a Reserve Police Officer, and she was on the Union City Police Officers’ Association Executive Board for four years, as treasurer and secretary. In her off hours Lorril enjoys spending time with her partner, riding and working on bicycles, working out at the gym, and being with her four dogs.

Dispatch Clerk Karen Tate

Karen was raised in Oakland, and attended schools there. She began her law enforcement career in Killeen, Texas in 1987 as a police dispatcher. In 1989 Karen returned to California and began a career at Union City that year as a dispatch clerk. Karen trains incoming dispatchers (entry and lateral level) as a CTO (Communications Training Officer). Karen has served on the Police Officers’ Association board as both secretary and member at large for IBB (Interest Based Bargaining). Karen and another veteran dispatcher were instrumental in writing the manual for incoming dispatchers. She enjoys the technical aspects of the job as well as the community contact. Karen volunteers as an adult leader for a local Boy Scout troop as well as volunteering time to her son's baseball league. Hobbies include traveling, working out at the gym, financial management courses/books, restoring cars, sporting events, spending time with her son, family, and friends. Working at the P.D. enables Karen to use her social science education as well as her technical knowledge gained from Chabot College and DeVry Technology University.

Officer Lisa Graetz

Lisa Graetz was sworn in as an Officer of the Union City Police Department in 1997. During this time, she has held the position of Patrol Officer, Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) Officer, assigned to Union Landing and is currently a Field Training Officer and Crime Scene Investigator. Lisa is state certified Arson Investigator and is a member of the Alameda County Arson Task Force. During her time off Lisa enjoys working out, mountain biking, spending time with her family, volunteering and expanding her knowledge. Lisa is currently in her third year of law school.

Lieutenant Tom Haselton

As the Investigations Sergeant for the Union City Police Department, Tom supervised five detectives, whom he assigned cases to for follow-up investigation. Tom handled the liaison duties with the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office where completed investigations are referred in order to obtain a criminal complaint. Tom has been with Union City for nearly 18 years, and he enjoys his career now more than ever. He attributes that primarily to the great people with whom he works. Some of the highlights of Tom’s career have been working assignments in SWAT, Investigations, the Gang Task Force, and as the Supervisor of Investigations. Tom earned his undergraduate degree from California State University, Hayward, and a master’s degree in Emergency Services Administration from California State University, Long Beach. Tom was promoted to Lieutenant in August 2006.

Corporal Travis Souza

Travis Souza was sworn in as an Officer of the Union City Police Department in January of 1998. Travis has held positions of Patrol Officer, Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) Officer, Field Training Officer (FTO), and is currently assigned to the Investigations Unit. Travis’s primary function in the Investigations Unit is to investigate fraud and identity theft cases. Travis is designated as an entry team member and sniper on Union City’s SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team. Travis Souza was raised in Union City and is a graduate of James Logan High School. He is a competitive power lifter and holds several California Police Olympic power lifting records. During his time off Travis enjoys spending time with his family, working out at the gym, and motorcycle riding. Travis was promoted to Corporal in June 2006.

Officer Cheryl Tassano

Cheryl Tassano hails originally from Hawaii. She graduated from California State University - Hayward with a Bachelor Degree in Human Development. Cheryl began her career with the Union City Police Department in October 1994. She chose to join the Union City Police Department because of the city’s rich ethnic diversity. Cheryl has worked patrol for eight years and served as a School Resource Officer for two years. She has the collateral duty of hostage negotiator for the SWAT team. Cheryl is currently assigned to the Investigations unit, and has served as a detective for a little over a year. Cheryl has been happily married for 15 ½ years. Her husband is a sergeant with the Fremont Police Department. They have two wonderful children; a 13 year old daughter and 5 year old son. She enjoys reading, working out, boating, motorcycle riding, playing with her four dogs and especially spending time with her family.

Volunteer Dan Sarka

Dan Sarka joined the Volunteer Program in the spring of 2002 and is assigned to the Traffic Unit. Dan works with traffic officers, using computer aided drafting/design software to document traffic accidents. Dan uses those same techniques to assist Union City detectives in their diagramming of violent crime scenes. His collision and crime scene diagrams are widely viewed as some of the best produced by any local law enforcement agency. Dan’s goal is to provide as accurate measurements as possible so that the numbers will speak for themselves in defending the innocent and prosecuting the guilty. Says Dan: “The men and women at UCPD are among the finest shipmates I’ve ever pulled on the oars with in reaching goals.” Dan comes to us as a Registered Professional Engineer with a BA in Management, and an aero-space background going back to space race of the 1960’s. Besides his police work, his daughter’s two dachshunds are the love of his life.

Captain Brian Foley

Brian Foley joined the Union City Police Department in January of 1986. Prior to becoming a police officer Brian attended California State University, in Chico, California where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Brian has held the positions of Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Crime Scene Investigator, and Detective with his primary responsibilities being robbery and homicide investigation and other “persons” related crimes. Brian was a member of the Department’s SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team where he was assigned as a member of the entry team, and later assumed the role of team leader. During his tenure with the Department Brian was promoted to the ranks of Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, where he assumed the role of SWAT team commander, and finally Captain, where he has assumed the roles of Field Operations Division Commander and Support Services Division Commander. In 2000, Brian graduated from the 204th FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia; a ten week live-in academy which was first created back in 1935 with the purpose of enhancing the professionalism of law enforcement practice throughout the United States and more then 150 foreign nations across the world.

Dispatcher Cheryl Wells

I am the daughter of a sharecropper. My father really was a sharecropper up until the age of 12, when his family moved from Texas to California. I grew up in San Leandro and graduated from San Lorenzo High School, the home of the Rebels. I attended Chabot College where I majored in typing. I eventually earned a B.S. degree in Economics at the University of San Francisco, where I was my class representative. Upon my graduation, I received a gold-dipped key chain for all of my hard work from the faculty. I became a dispatcher in 1988 with the city of Berkeley, CA. I was a trainer, attended neighborhood watch meetings and represented the police department at job fairs. I've volunteered for years with different battered women's shelters. I worked in Oakland, Hayward, Alameda and Livermore. I've helped to fill out restraining orders, worked the crisis lines, transported clients back and forth to court, and taken women and children to covert locations when they were escaping abusive relationships. I decided to try a change of pace and studied and passed a series of tests and became licensed to become a securities broker (aka: stock broker). I am still licensed to buy/sell securities, bonds, as well as life insurance policies, though I haven't since I was hired by the Union City Police Department in 2001. I enjoy traveling and have been to Oakland, Emeryville, England and France, just to name a few. My future goals are to become a world class jockey at Golden Gate Fields in Albany.

Officer Frank Allsup

Frank is in his nineteenth year as a Police Officer for the Union City Police Department. Prior to working for Union City, Frank was a Deputy Sheriff for the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department for five years. Frank is currently assigned to the patrol division. He has worked as a Field Training Officer, Chemical Agents Instructor, and Firearms Instructor. Frank is married and has three daughters. Much of his time is devoted to the various sports activities his daughters are involved in.

Police Office Assistant Gloria Cruz

I have been working for UCPD for over a year. This is my first job in law enforcement and I am learning and enjoying the experience. I currently work in the records department where I get the opportunity to interact with the public. Some of my duties include releasing crime and traffic reports along with tow releases. On the personal side I have a degree in Business Administration with an option in Procurement Management from Cal State Hayward. In my spare time I enjoy running and along with some of my close friends we participate in weekend races.

Volunteer Art Ashfield

Art Ashfield has been a volunteer with the Union City Police Department for over four years. Art assists our records and property personnel with many of the daily functions, and more recently, Art has assisted with organizing some investigative files. Organizing investigative files is not a new task for Art considering his past experience as a Criminal Inspector for the United States Marine Corp. Art was also a San Diego Police Officer after being discharged from the U.S. Navy at the conclusion of WWII. Art eventually left the San Diego Police Department for the private sector where he supervised the security on missile installations for General Dynamics during the Cold War era. Art subsequently retired from Matson Navigation Company in San Francisco, and he and his wife Betty are residents of the Masonic Home in Union City.

Officer Mike Dalisay

Mike Dalisay grew up and attended schools in Alameda, Ca. and was hired as an Officer of the Union City Police Department in August 1985. Having the privilege of working with the dedicated men and women that make up this fine Department, Mike has enjoyed various challenging and rewarding assignments which have included Patrol, Hostage Negotiator, School Resource Officer (SRO), Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Officer, Canine Handler and Field Training Officer (FTO). One of the memorable high lights of his career was having his former K-9 partner (Voss) co-featured on the popular television program, Animal Planet. Mike is currently assigned to the Traffic Unit as the Department’s Red Light Photo Enforcement Officer to help educate the motoring public on the dangers of red light running. Mike and his wife have been married for over 25 years and have a son who is also in law enforcement and a daughter who recently graduated from college. In addition to family time, Mike enjoys taking the Harley for a spin, wakeboarding, boating, biking and anything to do with the outdoors.

PBX Operator Trini Rodriguez

Trini Rodriguez has been an employee of the City of Union City for 14 years. Trini has been a constant presence in the Police Department where she has been greeting callers as the city phone operator. Trini is a refreshing voice in the world of automated phone operators. Trini assists many of the officers with translation or typing duties. Trini’s mother and father live with her in the City of Fremont and she is a very family oriented person. Trini’s pride and joy is her grandson Antonio. Trini can be found doing puzzles or dancing when she is not spending time with her family. Trini is a comforting voice and she is held in high regard by the members of the Union City Police Department.

Police Officer Ryan Seto

I began my Law Enforcement career as a Police Explorer with the Issaquah Police Department (WA) and Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. I was raised in Washington for most of my life. After high school I moved to California where I attended Diablo Valley College and Cal-Poly–San Luis Obispo where I earned a B.S. in Business Administration. I worked at BART Police Department prior to joining the Union City Police Department in October 2006. In my free time I enjoy working out, bowling, watching movies, and playing video games.

Captain Kevin Finnerty

Kevin Finnerty has been employed with the Union City Police Department since May 2007 where he has attained the rank of Captain. Prior to joining the UCPD, he worked at the Modesto Police Department for 27 years where he was a Lieutenant. At the Modesto PD, he worked in the Operations Division, Investigations, Support Services, equestrian Team, Traffic, Special Operations, and Police Academy Commander. Along with his several years of Law Enforcement experience, Kevin has obtained a Masters Degree in Public Administration, and is a graduate of the Command College and the FBI National Academy. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys fishing, camping, and sailing.

Dispatcher Tammie Baslee

Tammie Baslee was born and raised in Fremont, CA. She has been with the Union City Police Department as a Police Dispatcher for one year. Tammie is the proud mother of two Chihuahuas, Zoe and Chopper. She enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, and riding her Harley Davidson Street Glide. This year she plans on riding her motorcycle all the way to Sturgis, South Dakota.

Officer Robert Young

My name is Rob Young. In December of 2002 I enrolled myself in the San Joaquin Delta College Police Academy, graduating in September of 2003. I started my career in law enforcement in April of 2004 when I was hired as a police officer with the Stockton Unified School District Police Department. I served as a patrol officer with SUSD-PD for more than two years and worked as an on-campus police officer at Edison High School for one year. I left SUSD-PD in June of 2007 when I was hired as an officer with the Union City Police Department. I 've been married for more than three years to my wife Jennifer. We have a son, Christian and a daughter Alyssa.