Yakima Police Department Names Its Officer of the Year

The Yakima Police Department (YPD) has announced that Detective Chad Janis is their 2014 Officer of the Year.

Detective Janis is assigned to the Special Assault Unit, which investigates sexual assaults, domestic violence and crimes against children. Janis has also served on the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team since 2007.

During the course of an investigation in December of 2014, Janis became aware of a group of women and their children living in a group home who had nothing for Christmas. He organized his co-workers to purchase food and gifts for the families, with great results.

YPD will hold an awards ceremony at 2 p.m. Wednesday (April 8) at the Yakima Convention Center, 10 N. Eighth St., to honor Detective Janis and other officers.