Home Antioch Antioch Police Announce Promotions of Four Officers

Antioch Police Announce Promotions of Four Officers

by ECT

On Thursday, the Antioch Police Department announced four promotions within its organization and swore them into their new positions as Antioch continues to rebuild its department.

Lieutenant Desmond Bittner, Sergeant Jimmy Wisecarver, Corporal Mike Mortimer and Corporal Matt Koch were all promoted.

Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando stated they were all impressive individuals building solid careers.

“You will see the culmination of experience of the men sitting before you; this is the changing of the guard. The Antioch Police Department is changing, leadership is changing and these men are part of it,” said Cantando prior to reading each officer’s biography.

Antioch Mayor Wade Harper highlighted that everyone within the police department is making a difference in the community while thanking them for their dedication.

“Thank you for changing the culture of the city and letting people understand that if you are a criminal and want to cause problems, that we have a fine police department, we have fine men and woman who will bring you to justice and make sure Antioch is a safe city,” said Harper.

After officers spoke, Chief Cantando thanked the department both retired and present for their impacts and contributions.

Chief-Allan-Cantando

Chief Allan Cantando

“There are people in this room who have definitely impacted these gentlemens careers, they have learned a lot from them and would not be the supervisors they are going to be had they not experienced the leadership of the men and women in this room. I thank you for that.” stated Cantando. “I am really glad that the officers made comments about their family. That is something the public does not see. Police officers have to leave at night for call outs, going to do things that take away from their family that those of you not in law enforcement rarely see. Those things happen but it makes us appreciate our family time even more.”

Chief Cantando also noted that during a Chiefs panel in Martinez, what came up was what was one of the most important things one does as a chief. He explained that unanimously it was promotions.

“When we promote individuals, we are promoting the values of the police department. We are promoting the expectations of what we want this police department to be and how we want it to function and how we want it to be represented in our community,” explained Cantando. “I will tell you the promotions that I made, I did not just makes a single decision, but it came from our command staff. The men sitting before you today, they have the support and confidence of the command staff and I can assure you they have the confidence of their peers and subordinates  as well. I could not be more proud of these guys, it was not given and they earned it and will continue to earn it. These men right here are the future of Antioch Police.”

The Antioch Police Department is now staffed at 92-officers and continues to work towards 102 sworn officers.

Here is a look at the bios of the promoted officers:

Lieutenant Desmond BittnerDesmond-Bittner-2

Lieutenant Desmond Bittner is the newest member of our Management Team. He has worked his way through the ranks and has excelled in all of his assignments.

Desmond began his career with our department as a Police Explorer in 1997, and was subsequently hired as a Community Service Officer in 2000. In 2002, he was hired as a Police Officer working various assignments, some of which include: SWAT, VSET, CAT Team Member and DTAC Instructor.

Desmond-BittnerIn 2009, he transferred to the Investigations Bureau, working in the Violent Crime Unit. In 2012, he transferred to Patrol when he was promoted to Police Corporal. One year later, he was promoted to Police Sergeant. As a Police Sergeant, he supervised the Gang Unit, was the Team Leader of the SWAT Team, and was the RTO of the CCCSO 175th Basic Police Academy.

Lt. Bittner has received the following awards:

  • 2006 U.S. Congressional Recognition (CAT)
  • 2007 APD Medal of Valor
  • 2008 U.S. Congressional Recognition
  • 2008 APD Officer of the Year
  • 2010 APD Service Award
  • 2011 APD Medal of Valor

Jimmy-WisecarverSergeant Jimmy Wisecarver

Sergeant Jimmy Wisecarver began working at the Antioch Police Department as a Police Reserve at the age of 21. He was hired as a Community Service Officer and worked in that capacity for 2 ½ years. In 1997, Jimmy was hired as a Police Officer.

Jimmy has held various assignments throughout his career as a Police Officer. He has worked Narcotics and in the Special Operations Unit for 8 years, was a K9 Officer for 4 years, a SWAT Team member for 14 years, was in the Gang Unit for 2 years and has been a Defensive Tactics Instructor for 15 years.

Corporal Wisecarver was the Officer of the Year in 2002 and in 2010. He received the Medal of Valor in 2012, and a Certificate of Excellence.


Mike-Mortimer

Corporal Mike Mortimer

Corporal Mike Mortimer was born and raised in Antioch and graduated from Antioch High. He began his career in law enforcement in 1998 as a Police Explorer with the Antioch Police Department. Mike was hired as a Community Service Officer in 2001, and in 2003, he was hired as a Police Officer, where he was assigned to Patrol.

In 2005, Corporal Mortimer was assigned to our SRU (Special Response Unit). Mike was selected as a S.W.A.T team member in 2006. He then transferred to our Investigations Bureau in 2008, where he has since held the following assignments:

  • Narcotics Detective
  • Violent Crime Detective
  • Special Operations Unit Detective
  • Acting Sergeant of the Special Operations Unit.

Corporal Mortimer continues to be part of the Antioch Police Department’s Recruiting Team, as well as the Gang Unit.

Throughout his career as an Officer with this department, he has received the following awards:

  • Meritorious Service Award-2010
  • Medal of Valor -2012
  • Police Officer of the Year-2014

 

Corporal Matt Koch

matt-kochCorporal Matt Koch graduated from Antioch High School and began his career in law enforcement as a Police Explorer with the Antioch Police Department in 1996. Matt was then hired as a Community Service Officer in 1999. While working as a CSO, Matt also worked as Police Reserve from 1999 through 2001. He was hired as a Police Officer in 2001.

Throughout his career as a Police Officer, Matt has worked a variety of assignments, which include:

  • Honor Guard
  • Special Response Unit
  • K9 Officer
  • Field Training Officer
  • Defensive Tactics instructor
  • SWAT Team Member, and was the SWAT Team Leader from 2013-2015

Corporal Koch transferred to our Investigations Bureau in 2012, where he has worked in the following assignments: Property Crimes, Special Operations Unit, and the FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force.

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1 comment

Pedro Garcia Jan 8, 2016 - 9:58 am

Great News! Lets make Antioch safer and get rid of these criminals, we can do it together!

Comments are closed.