Stanislaus County Sheriff Sgt. Paul Yotsuya has worn many hats in his 24-year law enforcement career, including work with the K-9 unit, street crimes unit and the dive team. Starting last weekend, he can now add Patterson Police Services sergeant to that list after he took the post previously held by Sgt. Joe Camarda.

Yotsuya, who has been with the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department for 20 years, began working with Patterson Police Services Saturday, Sept. 24 following his most recent stint with the sheriff's contract city of Waterford. He started his career working four years on the Hughson Police force before it contracted with the Stanislaus County Sheriff for services.

In his newest post, he aims to ensure that deputies on the street have what they need to get a good job done, adding that he may be the first contact that stressed members of the public have with police.

“I hope to carry on the same type of work that people like Sgt. Joe Camarda have done,” he said.

Camarda, who was known for his ability to stay calm and to calm others in high stress situations, retired Sept. 14 after 30 years in Patterson.

Though Camarda left big shoes to fill, Yotsuya will be able to jump right in with all of his years of experience, Patterson Police Chief Tori Hughes said this week.

“He can step right into this role,” Hughes said. “He’s already taken the bull by the horns.”

Yotsuya, who has been a sheriff sergeant since 2006, has served on the drug unit and as a bailiff at the Stanislaus County Courthouse in addition to his other past roles.

His last assignment on the dive team was searching for 4-year-old murder-kidnapping victim Juliani Cardenas of Patterson in January.

In his spare time Yotsuya said he likes to ride motorcycles and spend time with his wife and three children. He has two daughters aged 17 and 21 and an 8-year-old son.

• Nick Rappley can be reached at 892-6187 or nick@pattersonirrigator.com.