Last week, the Los Alamitos Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the 33rd Annual Police Appreciation Luncheon for the Los Alamitos Police Department. This year the luncheon recognized the achievements of Officer Brent Malatesta as Officer of the Year 2014 and Police Aide Amanda McDowell as Police Employee of the Year 2014. The Keynote Speaker was Chief Rick Hicks (ret.), Coordinator of the Goldenwest College Criminal Justice Training Center.
Officer Brent “Mal” Malatesta has been a Los Alamitos Police Officer for two years. Leading up to his career with the Los Alamitos Police Department, Officer Malatesta, like his grandfather, uncle, and father before him, joined the United States Army. Serving in the Army’s Tank Corps from 1990 – 1993, Brent was initially stationed in Germany but was later deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as part of the 8th Infantry Division.
Brent received an honorable discharge from the military, returned stateside to Long Beach, and continued his formal education, attending Cal State Long Beach where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communications. Prior to joining the Los Alamitos Police Department, Brent worked as a police officer for the United States Federal Reserve and the Hermosa Beach Police Department.
Service to others has been a large part of Officer Malatesta’s core values. His father is a retired police officer who was awarded the Medal of Valor for heroic actions in the line of duty, and his brother recently retired from the United States Treasury Department’s Secret Service. Brent is known for his ability to develop a rapport with nearly anyone, and will go to great lengths to solve issues involving the quality of life in our Community. Brent takes a great deal of pride in being a Police Officer and providing public safety services to the community.
Amanda McDowell graduated from high school and moved to Long Beach where she enrolled in the Criminal Justice program at California State University. Before graduating in 2008 with her Bachelor of Science Degree, Mandy worked as an intern at the Bishop Police Department where she learned various police service functions and began to develop her resume.
As a quick study, Mandy has continued to develop her skill set by eagerly assisting with a multitude of assignments at the Los Alamitos Police Department. Mandy’s adaptability, commitment to public service, and ability to multi-task have enabled her to serve as the Department’s Parking Control Officer and work in the Records Bureau. Mandy has become particularly adept at assisting in Property and Evidence, where she coordinates with the County Crime Lab to have evidence processed, and dedicates a significant portion of her time to organizing booked evidence in the Property Room. Mandy regularly volunteers to serve in any capacity that will help the Department to better serve the community. She has mentored other employees and serves as a role model to her peers. Mandy displays a professional and personable demeanor, which serves her well in a career of public service.
