Crime & Safety

Career Switches Give City Its Newest Officers

James "Jimmy" Weese and Carlos Howe are Santa Monica's newest police officers.

One is the son of a longtime highway patrol officer, the other of a Panamanian immigrant who became an American citizen by serving in the U.S. Air Force.

They were each sworn in Thursday morning during a ceremony in City Hall as the newest officers of the Santa Monica Police Department.

James "Jimmy" Weese's new badge was pinned to his crisp uniform by his sons, Benjamin, 9, and Oliver, 6, and Carlos Howe's by Chief Timothy Jackman.

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James Weese

Weese was raised in the Antelope Valley, where he lives today. His mother worked for the Lancaster School District, and his father served 32 years with the California Highway Patrol before opening a plumbing business.

Find out what's happening in Santa Monicawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He was an athlete who graduated from Quartz Hill High School before earning a bachelor's in kinesiology from San Jose State University. He later earned a master's in physical education at Azusa Pacific University.

Since 1989, he's taught physical education and coached various sports in the Lancaster School District. More recently, he's coached golf at Antelope Valley College.

In 2010, Weese decided to pursue a career in law enforcement, choosing the Santa Monica Police Department because of his love of the beach. He graduated from the police academy Dec. 4.

Carlos Howe

Howe was raised in Lennox.  His father, born and raised in Panama, became a U.S. citizen by serving in the Air Force. His mother is from El Salvador.  

He grew up in a religious household and played baseball and football in high school and at El Camino College, where he earned an Associate of Arts degree before earning a bachelor's in criminal justice at the University of Phoenix.

Howe spent the past 18 years working in school safety for the Hawthorne School District.

Howe is married to his college sweetheart, Sara. Their first baby is due in late February.  


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