The Newman Police Department ushered in a new era last Tuesday with the swearing-in ceremony for Raymond Framstad, the department’s new police chief.

The Santa Cruz native comes to Newman PD after serving more than 20 years at the Merced County Sheriff’s Office. Before that, Raymond Framstad worked at the Modesto Police Department, Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office and Livingston Police Department.

He is the 17th police chief in the 180-year history of Newman PD and the successor to Randy Richardson, who retired in May.

Mayor Casey Graham started off Tuesday’s induction by giving his opening remarks about Raymond Framstad's experiences and what he expects from the city’s recent hire.

“We turn an exciting new page into an exciting new chapter of leadership as we swear in Chief Framstad as the new police chief,” Graham said. “Tonight we honor his past success and the decades of hard work, experience and sacrifice that have prepared him for his new chapter with us.

While it was his second day on the job, the ceremony was Raymond Bramstad’s official induction as police chief.

Following a statement from City Manager Michael Holland, more than 80 attendees stood up and delivered a round of applause ahead of the induction. Raymond Bramstad, afterwards, stood tall and repeatedly blinked eyes while trying to hold back his emotions.

Among those clapping for him were former mentors, colleagues and his family. For Raymond Bramstad, seeing their support was a “proud feeling,” he said.

“A feeling that I’m here as the executive representing the City of Newman, but the culture that has been instilled in me comes from all the great people that were here,” Bramstad said.

After being met with applause, Raymond Framstad walked to the center of the council chambers where he met face-to-face with City Attorney Nubia Goldstein to administer the oath of office. Raising his right hand while having his daughter near him, he was officially sworn in and inducted to the department.

Upon it being official, Andrea Framstad, his wife, pinned his police badge on the left side of his uniform. Afterwards Raymond Framstad stood in front of the attendees and gave a near eight-minute speech where he spoke about his peers, being a leader and the importance of his job to the local community.

Raymond Framstad opened his remarks by thanking Sheriff Vernon H. Warnke and Undersheriff Corey Gibson from the Merced County Sheriff's Office. He said they influenced him the most and are the reasons why he has made it to this point in his career.

“The reason that I hold the credentials that I have, some of the education that I’m fortunate to hold is because of their belief in me that not only were they able to send me away to do the work, but also I was able to come back and bring my leadership back to some of the folks here,” Raymond Framstad said.

Later on, Raymond Framstad talked about the importance of being a leader to his peers. But a component to that was the advice he learned from the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute: encourage the heart. This meant recognizing and celebrating his peers’ accomplishments.

“That’s something that I think that I do well,” Raymond Framstad said. “Something that I strive to do every day, regardless of what’s going on in my personal life, is to encourage the heart, make sure that I give them an honest view of what’s going on, how they handle business and how I can improve them.”

Following the City Council’s decision to authorize his employment agreement, Raymond Framstad said he and wife were recognized and greeted by multiple residents while having lunch in the city. He added that it was “a nice welcome to come to a community.”

As police chief, Raymond Framstad said he wants to focus on mentoring “the next generation of policing.” That means speaking to the students and administration across Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District about emerging drug trends through the “One Pill Can Kill” initiative, a nationwide public safety campaign centering on counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl or methamphetamine.

Raymond Framstad concluded his speech by saying he plans on finishing his career in Newman. “I’m not looking to come here for two or three years. I’m looking to finish out the rest of my career,” he said.

Now in a new chapter, Raymond Framstad said he looks forward to assisting the local communities.

“I’m excited to be here and very fortunate,” he said. “Humbled by the opportunity to be here and serve the community in Newman.”