CPOST honors employees with Impact Award

CDCR’s Commission on Correctional Peace Officer Standards and Training (CPOST) honored employees at the CPOST second Impact Award ceremony.

During the Dec. 11 ceremony, Secretary Jeff Macomber expressed his appreciation for everyone’s hard work in a recorded video message. He also acknowledged the standards they are upholding, and dedication brought to the department every day.

“At CDCR, our success depends on the strength and skill of our people,” said Secretary Macomber. “It depends on highly trained correctional professionals who not only serve with integrity but who also believe in life-long learning. This commitment to growth and excellence is what keeps our organization moving forward, creating stronger teams, safer communities and better outcomes for all.”

Recognizing those who make an impact on the department

The Impact Award, presented by CPOST, recognizes CDCR employees annually for their significant contributions, showcasing innovation, effectiveness, creativity, and dedication to the welfare of CDCR employees and the communities they serve. This prestigious award is presented to the individuals who demonstrate initiative in developing and implementing training programs that foster personal growth and enhances the performance of all CDCR correctional peace officer classifications, while establishing collaboration and trust between all disciplines.

“Congratulations to all the nominees and award recipients for all you do day in and day out to make CDCR stronger,” he said. “Thank you.”

Training correctional professionals

“CDCR acknowledges the vital role of highly trained correctional professionals who are committed to mastering their craft. This necessitates employees dedicated to continuous development and honing of skills using innovative approaches and training strategies,” said CPOST Executive Director Tina Bayles.

Two categories were introduced for the Impact Award: Individual and group.

Family, friends, and colleagues in attendance looked on in support of the nominated winners, at the Advanced Learning Institute on Goethe Road in Sacramento.

“Today, we honor our nominees and award winners for their significant contributions to the success and improvement of their teams and CDCR through the CPOST Commission’s Impact Award,” said Undersecretary Barretto.

Individual Impact Award Nominees:

• Correctional Sgt. Chris Strickland, California Health Care Facility
• Correctional Officer Rudy Benavides, California Men’s Colony
• Correctional Sgt. Santiago Mendoza, Central California Women’s Facility
• Correctional Sgt. Philip Arias, Wasco State Prison
• Staff Services Manager III Robin DeFehr, Office of Employee Health Management
• Correctional Sgt. Ramon Gastelum, California Institution for Women (CIW)

Individual Impact Award Honoree:

• Correctional Sgt. Ramon Gastelum, CIW

Undersecretary Barretto highlighted Sgt. Gastelum’s efforts in “elevating a solid program to a marked degree of excellence” regarding the training and transition of newly sworn correctional officers reporting to CIW.

“The training highlights the peculiarities unique to working at a female institution,” Barretto said. “You are a role model for the correctional professionals you work alongside every day.”

Watch the video (story continues below):

“Sgt. Gastelum, it is evident your sharpness identified unique training needs, and your actions have advanced our correctional peace officers. Your commitment, creativity, and above and beyond approach brings great pride to our Department,” Barretto said.

Gastelum thanked Undersecretary Barretto before looking out over the room.

“It’s honestly, humbling and it’s an honor to receive this award when you look out and see so many great people doing so much,” Gastelum said. “Especially when you look at the team from our leadership down to every training sergeant and everybody on the field training team.”

Shortly after, the Group Impact Award was presented when California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) Executive Vice President Steve Adney took the stage. He acknowledged the Group Impact Award nominees and winners.

Group Impact Award nominees

• CDCR Fire Fighter Training Cadre – Training and certification for CDCR fire staff
• Peace Officer Selection and Employee Development (POSED) and California Correctional Health Care Services – Lean Sigma Six – Training to solve localized operational complications
• Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) Division Training Unit (DTU) – Elevating academy training standards for Parole Agents

Group Impact Award honorees

Awardee: DAPO’s DTU for elevating academy training standards for parole agents.

• Michael Trujillo
• Justin Van Emmerik
• Dina Aguilar
• Carla Fish
• Gregory Prieto
• Shant Sheklanian
• Alejandro Tejeda
• Melvin Cook
• Guadalupe Olguin
• Vanessa Cross
• Jesus Olivarez
• Jennifer Bauer
• Ty Murguia
• May Yang
• Brandon Moore
• Stephen Velez
• Christine Mace
• Kurt Diesslin
• Aime Sugapong
• Anthony Quintana
• Eduardo Duran
• Joshua Grey
• Ricky Lindsey
• Ronald White
• Esmeralda Briseno
• Alfred Gibbs
• Rigoberto Chavez
• Mark Bondoc
• Rose Diaz

Parole’s training goals

“DTU’s goal is to ensure all DAPO employees are provided with all required and necessary equipment, training, and skills for their assigned duties,” said Adney.

DTU has oversight of over 1800 staff members statewide and the past year created new training to improve the performance of parole agents specifically in firearms training. Simultaneously, DTU was responsible for transitioning to a higher standard course of fire and assisted in training staff to go from a 60 percent in 2024 qualifying rate to a 99 percent qualifying rate as of June 2025.

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CCPOA Executive VP Adney welcomed the DAPO DTU to receive their award.

Parole Administrator Michael Trujillo, as a recipient of the award, spoke on behalf of DTU.

“This award does not represent just one person, it represents the strength, commitment and unity of a group who believes in each other,” Trujillo said. “We set out to reach for the stars and to establish higher standards for parole agents, not just for the sake of improvement, but we believe our work and the people we serve deserve nothing less.”

Trujillo explained “real, consistent all-in teamwork” is what makes the team so successful.

“You are the heartbeat of this achievement,” Trujillo said of the DTU. “Your unity, your dedication, and refusal to give up on one another made this award possible. I’m proud to stand beside you. I’m even more proud of what you have accomplished together.”

Story submitted by CDCR’s Peace Officer Selection and Employee Development

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