The Oakland Police Department recognized outstanding employees

The Oakland Police Department Chief of Police Darron Esan attended the Oakland Town Commission meeting on Tuesday, June 24 to recognize some outstanding officers. 

Shawn Dozier of OPD was promoted to corporal as of May 5. 

Esan said he is a caring employee and extremely supportive of the community. 

Esan also announced the promotion of Justin Gau to sergeant. Esan said Gau wants to make the agency better, proving he is capable of doing it. 

“He’s a motivated learner who is always looking for ways to better himself as well as those around him,” Esan said. “He’s a genuine person.”

Two members of the police department staff — Kelly Sims and Stacie Quinn — received Distinguished Employee of the Year awards.

Sims was recognized for her ability to handle multiple tasks at hand without missing any details. She files for grants for the police department, keeps track of all inventory and equipment, researches new computer systems to better the agency, helps all social media accounts, and recently, she just took the position as a public information officer for the town of Oakland. 

Quinn takes care of all public record requests at the office, while also organizing meetings, checking on the safety and well-being of senior citizens, taking photos for social media and supervising two civilian employees. Esan said she is professional and accurate in all the work she does. 

“She has made my transition in this job easier than anybody could have,” Esan said of Quinn. 

IN OTHER NEWS: 

• July 4, 2025, was proclaimed as Independence Day by Mayor Shane Taylor. 
• The Oakland Town Commission approved the motion to support Oakland Avenue Charter School’s tentative budget for the 2025-26 school year.  The school’s revenue is calculated to increase 2.5% from the 2024-25 school year. The school will also have salary increases up to 3%, based on an performance rating. OACS will provide new LED lighting to classrooms, upgrade fire systems and intercom systems. The school will fix the paint of interior and exterior buildings, as well clean up the gutter. 
• The Oakland Police Department is enforcing the Florida law in which it prohibits public camping and sleeping. Chief of Police Darron Esan said OPD’s goal is to provide resources and redirect public campers rather than incarcerating them. 
• The water treatment expansion plan was said to be necessary due to an increase in water demand. It is estimated to cost around $6.5 million. The plan is to increase the town’s ability to support potable water demands through 2040. The tentative project schedule suggests that it would take around 23 months to complete the expansion. 
• A full house is expected to show up to the town of Oakland’s Saving Oakland’s Eaglets event on Thursday, June 26. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center.