This week, the Antioch Police Department announced several officers who promoted in rank. Here is a look at each officer background:
Matthew Koch – Sergeant
Matt started his career with APD as a Police Explorer in 1996 and got hired as a Community Services Officer in 1999. He then worked as a Reserve Officer from 1999-2001. Matt got hired as a Police Officer in August 2001. As a police officer he has worked a variety of assignments which include:
- Special Response Unit
- Field Training Officer
- SWAT and SWAT Team Leader
- Honor Guard
- Explorer Advisor
- K9 Officer
- Defensive Tactics Instructor
- Investigations – Property Crimes, Special Operations, and the FBI Safe Streets
- Gang Task Force
Matt was promoted to the rank of Corporal in January 2016 and as a Corporal he has supervised the K9 unit, Police Explorer Post, and Honor Guard team.
James Stenger (Sergeant)
Sergeant Stenger was sworn into the Antioch Police Department as a police officer in September of 2002. Prior to becoming a police officer he worked part time as a Community Services Officer while he attended the 2001-2002 San Joaquin Delta College Police Academy. During his tenure as a police officer James has worked a variety of assignments which include:
- Field Training Officer
- First Aid/CPR Instructor
- Police and Community together (PACT) Team
- 9/11 Promotion Bios
- Gang Investigator, and he has testified over 40 times as an expert witness regarding criminal street gangs
From February 2010-January 2016, he was assigned as a Violent Crimes Detective where he assisted in the investigation of almost 60 homicides and 15 Officer Involved shootings/Critical Incidents.
In January 2016, James was promoted to Police Corporal and was assigned as a patrol supervisor. He also became a supervisor of the APD Gang Unit. Prior to becoming a police officer James was a US Army Cavalry Scout from 1989-1992.
James has received numerous awards which include:
- 2002 Top Academic Award and True Grit Award from the San Joaquin Delta
- College Police Academy
- 2011 APD Officer of the Year
- 2012 APD Medal of Honor
Matthew Harger – Corporal
Matt has been a police officer for 23 years. Prior to working at Antioch PD he worked at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. Matt earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1994 from California State University, Hayward. Matt attended the Los Medanos Basic Police Academy class 124 and graduated #1 in his class.
During his tenure as a police officer Matt has worked a variety of assignments which include:
- SWAT
- Field training officer
- K9 Handler with his partners Thor(10years) and Donna(5years)
- Corporal – 2 years
- Sergeant – 1 year
Steve Aiello – Corporal
Steve started his career as Reserve Police Officer from 1991 to 1994 for Antioch on June 1st 1999 Steve was sworn in as a full time officer and was assigned to patrol. As a police officer he has worked a variety of assignments which include:
- Field Training Officer
- Special Response Unit (SRU)
- Auto Theft Investigator
- Narcotics/Vice Bureau
- Gang Investigator
- Community Engagement Team
In 2005 Steve was elected to the Antioch Police Officers Association (APOA) as a board member and in 2008 he was elected to Treasurer and started the APOA’s Political Action Committee (PAC). In 2012 Steve was elected to V.P. and is the current V.P. of the APOA.
