Community police officer reassigned to Thousand Oaks
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com
Standing proudly in front of the Moorpark Police Services Center that he helped bring to frution, Ventura County Sheriff's Senior Dep. ETumbleson said he's ready to move on but he'miss Moorpark.

NEW POSITION- Ventura County Sheriff's Department Senior Dep. Ed Tumbleson has helped people in Moorpark for seven years. He will be transferring to Thousand Oaks on April 23. The sheriff's department regularly transfers officers from one beat to the next to keep the department well-rounded, according to Tumbleson.

Tumbleson has been working as a communitpolice officer in Moorpark since 2000. He'll breassigned to work in the Thousand Oaks SheriffStation at the end of this month. "All deputies are moved every so often because it makes the department more rounded,he said. Tumbleson enjoys his career in law enforcement because it enables him to make a differencin the lives of others, he said. "I'm a people person. I enjoy working witpeople. It gives me satisfaction." Like all deputies in the county, Tumblesostarted his career in law enforcement with a threeyear stint at the county jail. "But I was on the right side of the bars,he said jokingly.

During his 25 years with the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, Tumbleson has been assigned to work in Moorpark several different times, so he anticipates he might come back before he retires in about seven years.

"I love this town. It's a great community. The City Council, city staff and residents are very helpful and willing to get involved and take responsibility for their safety by working with the police to make Moorpark a safe community," he said.

Tumbleson deals with crime prevention and helps residents resolve problems.

"My job is to solve issues," he said.

He also worked closely with the city of Moorpark, helping to review building plans for safety issues and becoming heavily involved with the construction of the police services center, home to the Moorpark Police Department and the California Highway Patrol. Before the center was built, the police station was located at Flory Elementary School, and a space in a small church on Moorpark Avenue served as CHP headquarters.

"If it wasn't for Ed Tumbleson, we could still be at the Flory Police Station," said Dale Parvin, a Moorpark resident and former policeman.

As a Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) officer in Thousand Oaks, Tumbleson will continue to work hand in hand with the community to resolve issues.

Tumbleson grew up in Santa Barbara and now lives in Fillmore. He's the father of two grown boys. He and his wife, Cathy, both enjoy long motorcycle rides on their Harley.