Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando announced the promotions of two officers on Wednesday as Rick Smith was promoted to Sergeant and Shawn Morin was promoted to Corporal.
Chief Cantando congratulated Sgt. Smith and Cpl. Morin on their promotions and thanked their family and friends for all the support. He also highlighted how difficult its been for police officers lately and it’s the support of families and friends that provide a support system.
“Law Enforcement is getting more difficult at all levels and these gentlemen being promoted to supervisor when police officers are being attacked, videotaped, yelled at, we are always in the wrong until we are proven right. These are difficult times. As I look back at a career from 29-years, these two are embarking on an important and very serious endeavor,” said Cantando.
Cantando also stated the department is staffed at 87-officers, however, with injuries they are really at 78-officers.
“Yet our crime continues to go down. I get the praise for it, but its these men and women out there doing it,” said Cantando. “I cannot fathom how we are doing it other than just plain old fashion hard work and understanding what this job is about.”
Sgt. Rick Smith
Sgt. Smith started his law enforcement career with Antioch Police as a Level 1 Reserve in July of 1992 where he was then hired by San Pablo Police Department in February 1994. After 4-years, he returned to Antioch Police in March of 1998.
Since returning to Antioch, he worked as a Patrol Officer, community policing team officer, and as a field training officer. In 2003, Sgt. Smith was assigned to the Antioch Police Departments Investigations Bureau. While there, he worked as a Property Crimes Detective and as the departments Major Crime Scene Investigator. In 2005, Sgt. Smith was promoted to the rank of Police Corporal and returned to the patrol division
Sgt. Smith was assigned to the Contra Costa County Mutual Aid Field Force in 206, where he still works as a Squad Leader and Assistant XO. Currently, Sgt. Smith is a member of the Departments Firearms Training Staff, Rangemaster, and Department Armorer. In Addition, he is an EVOC and Driver Awareness Instructor and Incident Command Systems Instructor. He is currently part of the Departments Peer Support Team.
Corporal Shawn Morin:
Corporal Morin started his law enforcement career after high school in the United States Air Force. He was assigned to the 940th Security Forces Squadron at Beale Air Force Base. After the Terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001, Morin deployed overseas in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
Morin returned home in 20023 where he attended the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Academy where he graduated with the “Most Outstanding Recruit” and “Top Gun” awards.
In 2004, Morin joined the Stockton Police Department where he was assigned to Patrol, as a Community Police Officer, Street Crimes Impact Team, Gang Street Enforcement Team, Mobile Field Force, Gang Violence Suppression Detective and Parole and Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Unit.
Morin left Stockton in March 2013 and joined the ranks of the Antioch Police Department. With Antioch Police, Morin was assigned to patrol, as a Field Training Officer, Gang Investigator, and Swat Team Operator.
