Banning Police Sgt. Alex Diaz Honored by VFW Post 233: Officer of the Year

Banning police Sgt. Alex Diaz, supervisor of detectives, was recently recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 233 as Banning's Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for 2011.

The ceremony was held Friday Jan. 6 at Beaumont Civic Center.

Diaz started with the Banning Police Department in December of 2005, Banning police Chief Leonard Purvis said.

"During the past six years, he has worked in a number of assignments including K.O. Gangs in Schools, patrol, and investigations," Purvis said. "In November of 2007, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and he is presently the detective bureau supervisor."

In January of 2007, Sergeant Diaz helped re-establish the Banning Police Activities League.

"Each Saturday during the school year, there are between 60 and 70 youth who play basketball, football, or dodge ball with our officers and non-sworn personnel at Nicolet Middle School," Purvis said.

"The youth also skateboard and scooter at the local skate park across the street from the school. The close contact our youth have with our personnel gives them positive roles models to interact with and keeps them away from dangerous activity while they are participating in our programs."

During the past year, primarily on his days off, Diaz coordinated and participated in almost 200 hours of BPAL activities, Purvis said. Some of the activities included the BPAL Saturday Morning Sports & Activities Program, the BPAL Mexican Ballet de Folklorico dance group, Youth Accountability Team (YAT) Community Service, the Disaster Preparedness Expo event, the BPAL Shop with a Hero event, and the Downtown Halloween Carnival.

"In his primary assignment as the detective bureau supervisor, Sergeant Diaz keeps a busy schedule reviewing every written report completed by patrol officers, which was over 4,600 for the year," Purvis said.

"Additionally, Sergeant Diaz was responsible for monitoring all cases submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution and ensuring any requested follow-ups were completed in a timely matter," Purvis said.

On a daily basis, Diaz worked with detectives and patrol officers to make sure they had the resources and support necessary for them to successfully do their job, Purvis said.

"Because of his effective leadership this past year, the detective bureau has closed several high profile cases with arrests involving armed robberies, burglaries, child molestations, and rape," Purvis said.

Diaz has made efforts to educate the public through community meetings. During the past year, he has taught classes dealing with disaster preparedness, neighborhood watch, fraud awareness, drug awareness, child safety, and senior scam stoppers, Purvis said.

Diaz also made time during the past year to serve on the BPAL Board of Directors, be a member of the San Gorgonio Knights of the Round Table, and participate in C.A.R.E. Team meetings dealing with elder abuse, Purvis said. On occasion, he volunteered to help the Banning High School soccer team with their practices.

"The dedication and positive attitude demonstrated by Sergeant Diaz during this past year should be an example to all," Purvis said. "He is a credit to himself, the Banning Police Department, and the law enforcement profession as a whole."

was founded in September 1945, and its members serve the Pass communities of Calimesa, Beaumont, Banning, Cherry Valley and Cabazon.

The post provides services for all military veterans and their families, and its members often serve as color guard during events in the Pass.

Post 233 is at 450 E. 4th St. in Beaumont. For more information call (951) 845-7807.