The Corpus Christi Police Department has a special patrol unit on the beach this year in an effort to provide additional safety for visitors this summer.

The Beach Patrol unit is staffed by Officer Eric Garza and Officer Eric Smith. Both officers are certified lifeguards and previously worked on the beach for the Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation Department before they joined the Police Department. Officers Garza and Smith ride in a police vehicle equipped with first aid supplies and rescue equipment which are provided by the beach director, Derek Herzog. Officers Smith and Garza have a special uniform they wear while on duty on the beach which was also provided by the Parks Department.

The duties for Officers Garza and Smith primarily are city ordinance enforcement as it relates to beach safety such as glass containers, fires, unleashed dogs, and traffic enforcement on the beach. The special detail began May 21 and will operate until Labor Day. Officers Garza and Smith will return to normal patrol duty after September 3.

Officers Garza and Smith have participated in the rescue efforts of 3 near drowning events, helped an overturned kayaker in the Packary Channel, helped to locate a missing 5 year old girl on the beach, assisted Ambulance crews with a heart attack patient, and helped with an overturned boater near Beach Marker 199 all since they began the Beach Patrol May 21.

Officers Garza and Smith have been employed with the Corpus Christi Police Department for less than 5 years. The beach patrol is one of many components of the Corpus Christi Police Department other than routine patrol. For those interested in employment with the Corpus Christi Police Department, applications will soon be accepted in anticipation for the police academy scheduled for early 2013.

The base salary for a police cadet as of March 2012 is $3,213 per month. A probationary police officer has a base salary of $45,912 per year. The Corpus Christi Police Officer with less than 5 years on the department has a salary that ranges from $45,912-$54,696 per year.

Anyone interested to review the complete list of requirements and information about a career with the Corpus Christi Police Department should visit www.ccpolice.com Any interested person should send an email to recruiter@cctexas.com in order to express interest in employment with the Corpus Christi Police Department. Applications are completed on line only when applications are being accepted. Any interested person that sends an email to the recruiter will be notified when applications are being accepted.