The California Oil Museum (1001 E. Main St., Santa Paula, Wednesday – Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), the Santa Paula Historical Society and the Santa Paula Police Department are announcing the opening of a new exhibit entitled, “Committed to Community Service…Through The Years: The History of the Santa Paula Police Department”. This opening coincides with the dedication and unveiling of the Santa Paula Police Memorial, Saturday, May 21st, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. The Monument, located in the 900 block of East Santa Barbara Street (between the Gazebo and the Railroad Depot) stands to recognize the dedication officers have made to the city both before and after the Santa Paula Police Department was established in 1923. The Monument and exhibit recognize the sacrifices of Marshal Henry N. Norman who died in 1913 and Officer James E. Barmore who died in 1953. The Memorial’s brick pathways feature the names and years of service of past police personnel who served the Santa Paula Police Department.

The exhibit, to be displayed in the Santa Paula Historical Society Hengehold Gallery, is a timeline of department history and personnel separated into categories under each of the department’s 13 Chiefs of Police, from Lee Sheppard (1923-1929) to present Chief Stephen MacKinnon (who joined SPPD in 2005).

This exhibit will also feature police memorabilia, uniforms, equipment and the technology that was available during each specific era. Much of the equipment and vehicles used during those times have been replaced with newer technology. Such modernization is beneficial for crime-fighting, but unfortunately, much of the artifacts from the past were not saved. They can be viewed and examined in this exhibit through countless photos which will give you a glimpse of working conditions and tools available to police and dispatchers over the last century.

WHO: California Oil Museum

WHAT: Committed to Community Service…Through the Years: The History of the Santa Paula Police Department

WHEN: May 21, 2011 – September 25, 2011

WHERE: 1001 E. Main Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060 (Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Adults $4, Seniors $3, Youth 6-17 $1, Children 5 & under and Members are FREE)