Riverbank Police Services legal clerk, Martha Perez, will be departing her post at the Riverbank Police Services office after 28 years of service to the department and community. Her journey in the law enforcement field, however, will continue with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department at their main office in Modesto.
Perez started with the Riverbank Police Department in February 1987 when the City of Riverbank ran their own department and started with then-Chief McBride.
In 1995, Perez transitioned with the department to contractual policing with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department and became a county employee where she worked with a succession of leaders including Police Chiefs Voortman, Beck, Pooley, and current Chief Erin Kiely.
Kiely expressed in a presentation to Perez, that since 2007, he has had the opportunity to witness how she interacts with the public that is served. Because of the nature of police work, he said, victims, suspects and sometimes even concerned citizens are upset or frustrated when they make contact with records staff over the phone or in person at the front lobby. Records staff are frequently the first point of contact and can receive the brunt of this frustration.
Through the years, officials noted, Perez has consistently shown respect and understanding to these individuals regardless of circumstance. Her quiet and calm demeanor has been very well received by the public. Perez was also lauded for providing a “high level of customer service to the citizens of Riverbank” during the past 28 years and is to be recognized for her efforts.
On a personal note, Kiely explained that Perez was invaluable to him when he was first exposed to contractual services.
“She was a great asset,” said Chief Kiely. “She is a wonderful person and she will be missed.”
Former Riverbank City Manager Rich Holmer worked with Perez and was disappointed to hear that she was leaving.
“I got to know Martha and she was an excellent employee,” stated Holmer. “She will be missed.”
At the main office, Perez will be training others and sharing her expertise in records.
Perez expressed that she will miss the Riverbank community a great deal. She helped organize Shop with a Cop, the bicycle rodeo, translated for Spanish speaking people, as well as gained the trust of many people in the community who felt comfortable going to her for a variety of things.
The longtime employee said she leaves Riverbank with a heavy heart and after almost 30 years in the same office, she is trying to be as positive as possible on this new journey.
