Harbor Police News

New Harbor Police Officers and K-9 Sworn in

Wednesday, 06 August 2008

The San Diego Harbor Police Department has three newly sworn officers to add to its team that provides law enforcement, marine fire-fighting services, airport services, public safety and Homeland Security throughout the tidelands and San Diego Bay.

Officers Ken Helman, Jose Torres and Pedro Arce were sworn in with their wives by their sides at a ceremony on August 6, 2008. Chief Kirk Sanfilippo performed the honors in front of the officers' family, friends and co-workers.

Harbor Police Officers Help Save Two People

Tuesday, 05 August 2008
Contact: Dale Frost (619) 686-6222

Harbor Police officers are being credited with helping save two heart attack victims. In both incidents, one at Cabrillo Isle Marina on Harbor Island and another at San Diego International Airport, officers used Automated External Defibrillators which were crucial to the patients' survival.

Harbor Police Department Releases Names of Officers Involved in Shooting

Monday, 21 July 2008
Contact: John Gilmore (619) 686-7206

The Harbor Police Department has identified the two officers involved in a fatal shooting Saturday night.

They are Clyde Williams, a 20-year veteran with the Harbor Police Department and the officer who fired his handgun, and Wayne Schmidt, the officer who was injured. He has been with the department 5 1/2 years.

MTF and Harbor Police Arrest Subjects, MTF Seizes 4800 lbs. of Marijuana

Thursday, 17 July 2008

San Diego Harbor Police assisted members of the Immigratrion Customs Enforcement (ICE) Marine Task Force in the seizure of almost five thousand pounds of Marijuana.  The marijuana was seized from a vessel that was towed to the Harbor Police Dock in order to clear customs, after it had broken down in Mexican waters.  Harbor Police Officers conducted a felony vehicle stop on a group of four alleged associates on Shelter Island Drive as part of the operation.  The operator of the vessel as well as the four occupants of the vehicle were turned over to ICE agents. 

 The estimated street value of the marijuana was about two million dollars. 

 See the NBC 7/39 Video:  http://video.nbcsandiego.com/player/?id=276607

Explosion at Hilton Hotel

Monday, 19 May 2008

Re-Posted from an article by Union Tribune Reporters Jeff McDonald, Tanya Sierra and Ronald W. Powell on May 20 -

A deafening boom, plumes of smoke and debris raining from a downtown high-rise. In the moments following an explosion yesterday afternoon at a San Diego hotel construction site, first responders and witnesses feared the blast was the handiwork of a serial bomber or terrorist.

Officials immediately cordoned off the area around the Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel, and arson and bomb squad investigators were called to the scene. By evening, authorities said the eruption was caused by natural gas that leaked inside the hotel.