Shafter Cinco de Mayo Festival 2024

 The Shafter Cinco de Mayo Festival Committee has announced their Grand Marshal for this year’s festivities and it is Diana Burnett. Burnett retired this past year as the Assistant Chief of Police of Shafter.

Burnett was delighted and surprised with the announcement and thinks that it is a huge honor.  “I am so surprised and really humbled by their decision,” said Burnett. Burnett said that she has always loved the festival and is looking forward to being a part of it.  “I have worked it so many years and I just love all of the colors, the dancing, music and the wonderful time that the community has at it.”

Burnett will ride in the parade and will be there for the festivities at Mannel Park as well, after the parade.

Diana Burnett began her career with the Shafter Police Department in February 1992, eager to make a difference in a city that was growing and had a vision in which public safety was a top priority. Burnett would go on to become the highest ranking female officer in the department’s history, being named Assistant Chief over two years ago.  

Burnett said that she was continuously humbled by the accolades that were bestowed upon her, being an award for arrests, or recognition for her trail-blazing career that has opened up so many opportunities for women in the department. Burnett said that she was just taking advantage of opportunities made available to her because of women before her that had the courage to break those barriers.

Burnett was promoted to senior officer in July 1996 and to Sergeant just two years later in August 1998. She kept moving up through the ranks and became a Lieutenant in March 2014. Burnett continued to move up and gather so much knowledge and training, giving her the ability to serve the city in such a unique and effective way.

With over 2,500 hours of recognized POST training, she earned certification from the State of California Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) of basic, intermediate, advanced, supervisory and Management. She also holds two certifications from the Robert Presley Institute of Criminal Investigations in Homicide and Domestic Violence Investigations. She is also a graduate of the Sherman Block Leadership Institute, Class 142.

Over her career she served a number of various assignments such as D.A.R.E. Officer (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), Field Training Officer, Reserve Officer Coordinator and Trainer, and Youth Council Coordinator.

Burnett had worked criminal investigations and also supervised all criminal investigations as processed and handled by the detectives. Along with these responsibilities, she was also the Department Field Training Officer Coordinator, 290 (sex registrants) and was  the Liaison Coordinator with the County Street Interdiction Team (SIT).  Captain Burnett also volunteered to represent the department with the Kern County Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Committee and in the City of Shafter Emergency Operations Center

as the Press Information Officer.

Burnett said that she has grown along with the community, each making the other better every “I started here when the population was around 7,000 people, technology was nothing like we have today, but the one constant is the people. The people have always been great and that is what makes this city so special.  I love this city and especially its amazing people.”

Burnett said that she is enjoying her retirement, spending time with her parents, taking long walks with her dogs and getting to those things around the house that she never seemed to have time for. But, if you thought that this servant to the community would shed those duties, you would be sorely mistaken. Burnett generously donates her time to various service organizations and events, such as volunteering at the recent Colours Festival and other local events.

Burnett is a great choice for this honor, according to Cinco de Mayo Committee’s Deanna Rodriguez-Root, with her heart for the city of Shafter and the wonderful people in it.

Contributed by Jamie Stewart of the Shafter Press