Santa Ana : Police Officer of Year Cited for Investigations

Police Officer Larry Wiist, whose observation skills have led to numerous arrests of suspected car thieves, was named the Police Department’s “Uniformed Officer of the Year” Friday.

Wiist, a seven-year veteran of the department, was recognized for “his high level of quality police service and enforcement,” Sgt. Collie Provence said. During 1986, Wiist conducted investigations that repeatedly resulted in arrests of suspects for shootings, robberies, burglaries and auto thefts.

In one case, he developed information from a routine car stop that led to the recovery of several stolen vehicles and the breakup of a car theft ring, Provence said.

In addition to his duties in auto theft investigation, Wiist continues to work as a regular patrol officer. He is also a “field training officer,” overseeing new officers fresh out of the police academy, Provence said.

Every month, Police Department supervisors select an “officer of the month” to honor superior work; Wiist received that accolade five times in 1986, Provence said.

Wiist, 33, has an associate of arts degree from Santa Ana College (now Rancho Santiago College) and a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice from California State University, Fullerton. He is married and the father of two children.