Harbor Police Corporal Greg Scallion Named Officer of the Year

Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Contact: Dale Frost (619) 686-6461

During 15 years as a Harbor Police officer, Corporal Greg Scallion developed expertise in narcotics enforcement on land and sea.

He has also consistently led his squad in arrests, cuffing drunk drivers on the streets of the Port District tidelands.

For these accomplishments, along with an outstanding work ethic, Corporal Scallion has been chosen as 2011 Harbor Police Officer of the Year from among the 120 sworn officers in the Harbor Police Department.

“Corporal Scallion represents the best of our professional police officers. He is especially deserving of this honor,” said Harbor Police Chief John Bolduc.

Five years ago, Corporal Scallion was promoted to corporal, a supervisory position between the rank of officer and sergeant.

Corporal Scallion frequently participates in Harbor Police Operation Stonegarden, assisting the United States Customs and Border Protection agency with narcotics and human trafficking enforcement.

A significant case was initiated by Corporal Scallion in July, 2010.

While operating a police boat one mile offshore of Point Loma, Corporal Scallion contacted three passengers aboard a nearby 26-foot powerboat. He deduced that the vessel was possibly being used to smuggle illegal drugs into the U.S. from Mexico.

Corporal Scallion coordinated with various U.S. Customs units for the vessel to be escorted into San Diego Bay and to a U.S. Customs dock for inspection.

Officials then discovered 1,084 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated street value of more than $1.3 million, hidden in a compartment built under the deck.

The three people aboard the vessel were prosecuted and convicted in federal court of narcotics smuggling.

Since Corporal Scallion has joined the Harbor Police Department, he has been a member of the Harbor Police Honor Guard and the bike team. He is qualified to carry special weapons for tactical operations. He is also a boat operator and field training officer.

Corporal Scallion served for three years on the Harbor Police Investigations and Backgrounds Unit and plans to apply for the Narcotics Task Force team.

So far this year, Scallion has made more than 19 drunk driver arrests and 29 narcotics arrests.

Corporal Scallion, age 45, grew up in Dallas, Texas. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was transferred to Camp Pendleton in San Diego County.

After concluding military service, he joined the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and served as a corrections deputy working in county jails.

“It’s definitely an honor to represent the Harbor Police as Officer of the Year,” said Scallion.

The Harbor Police Department is the law enforcement arm of the Port of San Diego.

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