Longtime Lodi PD officers move up the ranks

Jan. 26—Three members of the Lodi Police Department were promoted and Chief Rick Garcia welcomed two new employees during a bade-pinning ceremony at Carnegie Forum on Thursday.

Stockton native Kevin Kent was promoted from lieutenant to captain, succeeding Garcia following his appointment to lead the department.

A graduate of Bear Creek High School, Kent earned a bachelor's degree from Union Institute and University, as well as a master's from the University of San Diego before joining the department in 2001 at the age of 21.

"We were the first agency to offer him a job," Garcia said. "And he has been a part of the LPD family ever since."

Kent has held several positions during his 22 years with the department, including cadet advisor, bike officer, school resource officer, detective, and watch commander, among others.

He has also served as a K9 officer, a SWAT operator, a defensive tactics instructor and member of the Honor Guard, and has been commander of each unit.

Kent is one of the longest-serving members of the department's SWAT unit at 19 years and four months.

He also helped start the department's drone unit and maintains his remote pilot license.

Kent has received 11 letters of commendation throughout his career, as well as 18 letters of appreciation.

Upon receiving his badge and captain's bars, he thanked his family, God and his fellow officers for helping him throughout his long career.

"We're all LPD family," he said. "I could not have done the list of things the chief read off without all of you, and I just appreciate all you've done to pour into me, to help me be where I'm at. Hopefully in this spot I can pour more into others, (and be) someone to help continue build our family and build our future."

Sgt. Matt Latino, who serves as one of the department's public information officers, was promoted to lieutenant Thursday.

Latino grew up in Stockton and attended East Union High School in Manteca, and received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice management from Union Institute and University.

He is currently attending the University of San Diego and expects to receive his master's in law enforcement and public safety leadership this year.

Latino also joined the department at the age of 21, and Garcia said they graduated from the academy and were hired by the department together.

"He chose LPD because it was and still is considered one of the finest organizations in the valley," Garcia said. "All of his best friends in the academy, including me, chose to work for LPD."

Latino has also held numerous potions in the department, including patrol officer, Delta Regional Auto Theft Tram investigator, corporal, investigations unit sergeant and OPS sergeant.

He has also been a member of the Mobil Field Force, Critical Incident Negotiations Team, the bomb squad and recruiting.

He received the 2018 Meritorious Service Award and the 2020 Unit Citation Award for leading the MFF through 19 deployments.

Latino has received four letters of commendation and four letters of appreciation. He said he had no idea he had earned that many.

"I'm really grateful and humbled to be standing here in front of all my friends and peers," he said. "It means a lot to me. I'm very excited to take this next step in my career, and I'm really humbled right now. I'm excited to get to work."

Cpl. Ryan LaRue was promoted to sergeant Thursday as well.

LaRue grew up in Galt, was a member of Jim Elliot Christian High School's first graduating class, and obtained a degree in graphic design from Pensacola Christian College.

LaRue joined LPD in 2008 after three years with the Galt Police Department.

Since coming to Lodi, LaRue has been a K9 officer, a homicide detective and narcotics officer with the special investigations unit.

He has received three letters of recommendation and four letters of appreciation, and received the 2014 Officer of the Year Award. He also received a 2020 Meritorious Service Award.

Officer John DeLeon and dispatcher/jailer Danielle Destarac were welcomed as new employees to the department during Thursday's ceremony.

DeLeon grew up in Lodi and graduated from Lodi Academy before obtaining an associate's degree from Peninsula College.

He worked as a police officer for California State University Monterey Bay for two years before returning to Lodi, and he has already been assigned to the department's SWAT unit.

Destarac also grew up in Lodi, graduating from Lodi High School before joining Stockton Police Department in 2005 as a dispatcher.