Santa Monica’s Finest: Twenty years in the Making

Joe Analco, 28-year veteran Santa Monica Police Officer is a successful role model for the “high risk” youth attending the Criminal Justice class at Olympic High School.

Presently, Olympic High School in partnership with the Santa Monica Police Department forms the Criminal Justice class. Dozens of students successfully completed a spring semester elective class in Criminal Justice that Officer Joe Analco assisted in developing for the class curriculum.

The objective of the class is to educate students to understand, respect, and link the importance of the California Penal Code, Education Code, the Child Welfare and Institution Code that will contribute to their success in school and allow them to become model citizens in the community.

The class was the result of hard work and dedication on the part of Officer Joe Analco, Officer Bobby Villegas, Officer Dave Rynski and the Santa Monica Police Department’s Community Resource Department. The class was under the leadership and support of Sergeant Dave Thomas, Lieutenant P.J. Guido, and Santa Monica Police Chief James Butts.

The Santa Monica Police Department administered the Criminal Justice class one hour a day, five days a week from January 20th through June 20th. Officer Joe Analco’s patience, strength, caring and understanding led to the popularity and success of the class.

Students have responded favorably, providing the following feedback: “they were being challenged to achieve and think critically by taking responsibility for their actions and they felt Officer Joe Analco walked in their shoes.”

Officer Joe Analco is a success story. He was raised in Santa Monica, was challenged in life and served in the Vietnam War. He returned to Santa Monica and became a police officer -- a service he has provided for the last 28 years.

The students at Olympic felt Joe Analco’s office door was always open for discussing any issue of various magnitudes in their lives. Further, the staff at Olympic also turned to him for the genuine advice and guidance from an individual with the true “spirit of the law.”

As you read this public “we miss you, get well,” letter, Officer Joe Analco is acting as an emeritus status for the youth at Olympic High School and the Santa Monica community. Olympic students miss his visual presence in the class, on the streets, and in their lives.

You are truly missed officer Joe! The Criminal Justice class wishes you a speedy orthopedic recovery and a visual return as a most welcome keynote speaker.

Love always,

Olympic High School’s Criminal Justice class and staff