The Port Angeles Police Department announced last week the promotion of Cpl. Jesse Winfield to the rank of sergeant and the promotion of Detective Tom Kuch to corporal.  

Both officers applied for these promotions.

In addition to their excellent work performance, both scored at the top of an intensive promotion assessment center testing process last week at Port Angeles City Hall, police department officials said.  

The pair were sworn in by Police Chief Terry Gallagher at a ceremony at the Port Angeles Police Department on Jan. 21.

Winfield has been with the Port Angeles Police Department for more than 18 years. His new assignment is shift supervisor/watch commander in charge of a patrol shift. His prior assignments include two years as a patrol corporal, 10 years as a P.A. police department detective, field training officer and seven years as police officer.  

He has led or been a team member on numerous complex and long-term criminal investigations, as well as numerous high profile events.  

He also worked for the Olympia Police Department for more three years, prior to coming to the Port Angeles Police Department. He has received numerous awards and recognition throughout his career, is active in the community and is a youth sports coach.

Kuch has been with the Port Angeles Police Department since December 1998. His new assignment is as an assistant shift supervisor/relief watch commander assigned to a patrol shift.  

His prior assignments with the Port Angeles Police Department include detective, school resource officer, field training officer and police officer.  

Kuch began his career as a communications and corrections officer in Forks and worked for the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office as a corrections officer and deputy sheriff prior to coming to the Port Angeles Police Department.  

Kuch will continue in his role as P.A. Police Department mental health liaison and crisis intervention training facilitator.  

Kuch is involved in volunteer work, including being a youth sports coach.