The UCLA Police Department is honoring the 2016 civilian employee, Julie Ouyang, and officer of the year, Robert Chavez, for embodying the department's values of accountability, respect, integrity, service and excellence.
Ouyang, a UCLA alumna, was hired in 2015 as an administrative assistant to work in the records and fingerprinting units. When she was a UCLA student, she had worked as a community service officer and was well-known for her positive approach to public service, police said. In her current job, colleagues on staff, both sworn and civilian, who nominated her noted her attentiveness to her responsibilities, positive attitude, dedication and commitment to the team.
“Julie goes above and beyond, with respect to her dedication to the department,” said records unit manager Sandra Thomas, noting that Ouyang processed the most fingerprinting applicants for the unit in 2016. Recruitment and training Sergeant Kevin Kilgore commented that Ouyang does her work with finesse, assisting other department units. Detective London McBride said Ouyang is always willing to extend herself to benefit others.
Chavez, who was unanimously selected by UCLA PD sergeants for this honor for his work as a detective, has been with the UCLA Police Department for over 11 years. He is currently assigned to patrol.
Chavez “strived for excellence with a committed resolve to teamwork and getting the job done,” according to those who nominated him. He has earned the admiration and respect of his supervisors for his investigative ability.
Last year, he was assigned to a carjacking/kidnapping incident that occurred on campus near the Reagan UCLA Medical Center. The victim was taken at gunpoint and placed in the trunk of his own car. The suspect drove to a remote location in the desert and released the victim. It took him more than an hour to reach a place to call for help.
As the lead investigator in this case, Detective Chavez “was able to discern the identity and location of the assailant, which led to a subsequent arrest," according to the police. The fact that the case was closed within 10 days of the incident exemplifies his tenacious investigative resolve and commitment towards making victims “whole once more,” said Detective Sergeant Gawin Gibson.
