Santa Monica Police Chief Timothy J. Jackman (left) presents Captain Alex Padilla, 50, with his retirement badge during his farewell party at the Masonic Center on Saturday, January 9, 2010. Captain Padilla, who was born and raised in Santa Monica, has served the SMPD for the past 30 years. He started at the age of 20 as a Cadet.

(1) Santa Monica Police Activity League Officer Jennifer Rodriguez helps PAL members Sebastian Chairez, 7,  and Diana Lopez, 6, build  gingerbread houses at PAL on Monday, December 21, 2009. (2) PAL Board Member  Eric Faber helps Sebastian Chairez, 7, build a gingerbread house at PAL. (3) PAL members Chiarra Bunayog, 6,  and Danel Torres, 7, build their  gingerbread houses. (4)  PAL member Cyril Bunayog, 9, builds his  gingerbread house. (5)  PAL member Amy Albuera, 14, builds her  gingerbread houses at PAL on Monday, December 21, 2009.

(1) Santa arrives on a Santa Monica fire truck to the Annual PAL Winterlit Holiday Workshop on Saturday, December 19, 2009. (2) Santa Monica Police Chief, Timothy J. Jackman, and Fire Chief Jim Hone flip pancakes during PAL's Winterlit Workshop. (3) Santa Monica Fire Chief Jim Hone helps Nia Larssen, 5, down from the stage after receiving a gift from Santa. (4)  PAL volunteers serve pancakes during PAL's annual Winterlit Workshop on Saturday, December 19, 2009.

After thirty years of service to the Santa Monica Police Department, Captain Alex Padilla flips pancakes at the Police Activities Leagues Winterlit Workshop during his last day of work before retiring.

(1) Santa Monica Police Captain Alex Padilla serves officer John Gallagher during the Police and Fire Departments Holiday Luncheon and Food Drive at the Public Safety Building on Wednesday, December 9, 2009. (2) Santa Monica Police Chief Jim Hone serves Sergeant Hernandez during the holiday luncheon. (3) Santa Monica Police Officer Jacob Holloway tells Santa what he want for Christmas during Police and Fire Departments Holiday Luncheon. (4) Santa Monica Police and Fire Departments personnel and volunteers eat during Police and Firefighter Holiday Luncheon and Toy Drive at the Public Safety Building on Wednesday, December 9, 2009.

Ten members from the Police Activity League receive certificates for completing the Junior Police Academy on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, at the Santa Monica Public Safety Building. The Junior Police Academy is an eight week program designed for children ages 9 to 14. Through classroom discussions, student activities and cadet handouts, the students develop a deeper appreciation for law enforcement, while opening the door to better communication between officers and students. The students learn about policing and the inner workings of the Santa Monica Police Department. They learn about S.W.A.T., crime scene Investigations, accident, D.U.I. investigations, use of traffic radar and Beach Patrol.