Longtime police advocate crosses thin blue line in search of new challenges
'It was a natural step,' says former Chamber coordinator
By Miguel Morales miguel@theacorn.com

Jessica McCormick

Simi Valley native Jessica McCormick was first introduced to the police department through her family's business, looking on as her father, owner of Dave's Towing, often worked together with members of local law enforcement.

That familiarity eventually led to her involvement, beginning at age 13, with the Simi Valley Police Foundation. She eventually became co-chairperson of the foundation, a position she held for more than decade. Her father, Dave, is the acting president.

"The police department has always been a part of my life for as long as I can remember," the 27year-old said. "And it's always been in a good way."

Now the woman who did so much to help raise money for local police is joining the force.

McCormick, former program coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce, began her new job in the police department's records division on Tuesday. It's a position, she said, that has her doing much of the same kind of "officestyle work" she did with the Chamber.

After working closely with police through the foundation to fund services like the DARE program and Simi's K9 teams, McCormick said transitioning into the department was "naturally the next step for me."

McCormick's parents have lived in Simi for 32 years. Dave's Towing, still run by the McCormick family, has worked with the police department for the past 30 years.

"Working with the community came naturally for Jessica," said her father, also a former president of the Chamber of Commerce. "It was the way she was raised."

In 1999, for her services with the police foundation, Jessica McCormick was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award by the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise, the highest honor a Rotary club can bestow. She also received the police department's Founders Award in 2004 for her contributions to the force.

As program coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce, McCormick helped raise membership by facilitating networking capabilities between members. She was also staff liaison for the Simi Valley Community Foundation, an organization created to strengthen the community through educational programs, recognizing cultural resources and assisting with health services.

"It's nice to give back to a community that has kept me safe in school and safe in the streets," McCormick said.

McCormick said she has no plans to leave Simi or the police department but intends to go back to school for a business degree.

"I want to buy a home and raise my family in Simi," McCormick said. "I foresee myself staying in Simi as long as I can."