Police briefs

The red-haired woman who has worked countless City Council meetings

and served as the Police Department’s public information officer will

have a new title come the new year -- lieutenant.

After 12 years of service in the Huntington Beach Police Department,

Sgt. Janet Perez was recently promoted to lieutenant.

She is the department’s first female lieutenant. Her first shift as

watch commander begins Jan. 17.

Perez said she is excited about the new people she will meet and

thinks she’ll fit right in.

“It’s a bit of a novelty, but I’m not going to do anything different

than any of the guys,” she said.

Her last day as sergeant will be Jan. 11. Sgt. Gary Meza will take

over her role on the department’s community liaison team.

“I’m happy going back to patrol, I’ve spent lots of time in the

office,” she said.

Her sleeping habits will have to change because she will be working

the graveyard shift from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Currently she works from 7:30

a.m. to 5 p.m.

The announcement of the promotion was made at Monday night’s City

Council meeting.