The Operations Division is the larger of the Department's two divisions and includes all of the Department's uniformed police officers. Operations is responsible for providing direct police response to requests for assistance. The patrol, traffic, and community service officers respond to and investigate criminal acts and public safety concerns.

Operations includes teams that have been specially trained and equipped to meet some of the community and the Department's special needs. These teams include Bicycle Patrol, Canine, UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (Bomb Squad), SWAT, and Hostage Negotiations Team (HNT).

For further information about the Operations Division, you can contact the Operations Division Commander, Captain Paul Carmona at (209) 456-8130.

Bomb Squad

The Manteca PD Bomb Squad consists of a Lieutenant, a sergeant and one trainee. The unit is responsible for responding to and investigating suspicious packages, disposal of modified military ordnance, rendering safe improvised explosive or incendiary devices and disposal of explosive or hazardous chemicals and components. The MPD Bomb Squad uses various tools to safely interrogate and disrupt explosive devices (e.g. robots, X-rays, disruptor tools, etc.).

Bomb Technicians must complete a rigorous six week training program taught by the FBI at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. This training is provided by the FBI free of charge to participating agencies and certifies the Hazardous Device Technician to safely handle explosive related incidents. Additional training is provided regionally by the ATF and the FBI to include post-blast investigations, advanced explosive disposal training, robotic use and maintenance.

The MPD Bomb Squad is a member of the Stockton-Manteca Regional Bomb Squad, which covers the incorporated areas of Stockton, Manteca, Tracy, Ripon and Escalon.

To contact the MPD Bomb Squad, please call or email Lt. Ian Osborn at (209) 456-8207.

Canine

The Police Department Canine Unit is made up of 9 handler teams. 7 dogs are cross-trained in both apprehension and detection, 1 is apprehension only, and 1 is detection only.

The Manteca Canine Unit is the second oldest canine unit in San Joaquin County, second only to Stockton PD. Training is conducted in-house and overseen by a retired MPD K9 Sergeant. The teams train every week to maintain an extraordinarily high level of ability.

Manteca Police Apprehension Canines can be used for:

• Searching a building or open area for a hidden suspect
• Handler and citizen protection
• Holding a suspect until they can be safely taken into custody
• Tracking a fleeing suspect
• Crowd control

Manteca Police Narcotics Canines are trained in the scent detection of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, opium products, and marijuana.

Police Cadets

The Manteca Police Department offers the opportunity for youth interested in law enforcement to be a part of the department. The Police Cadet program has up to 20 cadets between the ages of 14–20. Police Cadets work with the department in community events and with officers in the field. They can be seen riding patrol with officers, working DUI checkpoints, and participating in community events. The Police Cadet Program made its debut in Manteca in 1967 and has been a vital part of the community ever since.

Police Cadets compete in Law Enforcement Explorer Competitions and have routinely taken several 1st and 2nd place trophies. The program maintains a 1947 Chevy Fleetmaster vintage police car.

Requirements: Cadets must maintain a 2.0 grade average, have a good discipline record at school, and pass a background check consistent with Police Officer standards.

To apply, contact program supervisor Sgt. Jason Bonetti at (209) 456-8167.

Hostage Negotiations Team

The Hostage Negotiations Team (HNT) is a specialized unit that works closely with the SWAT Team. Both teams make up the department's Crisis Response Unit. HNT was established to provide skilled verbal communicators to assist, de-escalate and obtain a surrender in critical situations where suspects have hostages, barricaded themselves, or have suicidal tendencies.

HNT consists of two Sergeants and six Officers who have other duties within the police department. Team members are selected through an application process requiring supervisor appraisal, an appraisal panel and appointment by the Chief of Police. The team conducts monthly training for a minimum of 120 hours a year, including joint training with SWAT, mental health professionals and other agencies.

Manteca Police Reserve Unit

Manteca Police Reserve Officers are members of the community with regular jobs who serve on a volunteer basis and have the same arresting authority as paid officers. They are trained and equipped to supplement and provide professional assistance to the patrol division during emergencies and special events. Reserve officers are also qualified to ride patrol, enabling the department to put additional staffing on the streets at minimal cost.

The reserve unit currently has an authorized strength of 25 officers. Many full-time law enforcement employees have found their roots by starting as a reserve officer.

To see current openings for the Reserve Unit, view current opportunities.

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)

Mission: The mission of the Manteca Police Department's Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program is to provide airborne support to police and emergency operations in a safe, responsible, and transparent manner, for the purpose of increasing the safety and security of citizens in the City of Manteca.

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), more commonly referred to as drones, have proven to be a valuable resource for law enforcement and first responders. Uses include providing an overhead view of incidents for ground personnel, safely clearing building interiors, documenting crime and accident scenes, and searching for lost or missing persons.

The Manteca Police Department initiated its UAS Program in early 2019. We currently have 11 sworn police officers with the required FAA Part 107 commercial licenses and certifications necessary to operate UAS in the performance of their law enforcement duties.

Patrol

Patrol is the largest unit within the Operations Division and the backbone of the Manteca Police Department. It is responsible for handling calls for service, conducting proactive enforcement, reducing crime, and maintaining overall safety for residents and visitors.

The Patrol Division is led by the Operations Division Commander who administers through six uniformed sergeants supervising 39 officers and four CSOs assigned to patrol on a 24/7 basis. Patrol officers are equipped with Mobile Communication Terminals, car video systems, cellular telephones, digital cameras, and night vision equipment.

Police Chaplain Program

The Manteca Police Department's Chaplains are known as the first responders to the first responders. They are committed to the support and well-being of the department's sworn and non-sworn personnel and their families in professional or personal crisis, and to serve the community of Manteca in times of crisis or tragedy.

Chaplains offer assistance that is available, accessible, and confidential 24 hours a day, including:

• Pastoral care for all employees and immediate family members
• Weekly worksite visits to maintain contact with all personnel
• Hospital visits to employees and family members
• Funeral services and grief management support
• Death notification assistance for officers and the community
• Crisis intervention at emergency scenes
• Search and rescue assistance in the field
• Participation in new employee orientation and Citizen Academy

School Resource Officer

The Manteca Police Department's School Resource Officer (SRO) Unit follows the "triad" concept of school-based policing — Teacher, Counselor, and Law Enforcement Officer. SROs educate, counsel, protect our schools, and promote a positive image of law enforcement to youth.

Currently, three full-time SROs and one part-time School Safety Officer are assigned to assist the 23,000+ students and staff of the Manteca Unified School District. Full-time officers are specifically assigned to Manteca High School, East Union High School, and Sierra High School. Officers also provide coverage to Calla High School, Manteca Day School, and the Community School operated by the San Joaquin Office of Education.

Questions about the SRO program can be sent to the SRO coordinator.

Chief's CSI Academy Application

SWAT

The Manteca Police Department's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team was formed in 1983. The current SWAT Team is a multi-agency team including Manteca, Ripon, and Lathrop Police Departments, consisting of a Team Commander, Team Leader, assistant Team Leader, 12 Manteca operators, 3 Ripon operators, and 5 Lathrop operators.

SWAT is specifically trained and equipped to resolve critical incidents that exceed the capabilities of first responders, including hostage taking, barricaded suspects, snipers, terrorist acts, and other high-risk incidents. The team trains twice a month — ten hours each session — and is on call 24 hours a day. The team works closely with the Hostage Negotiations Team and Tactical Dispatch as the Critical Response Unit.

Traffic

The Traffic Unit was formed in 1988 and currently consists of three Motorcycle Officers overseen by a Traffic Sergeant. Traffic Officers patrol using BMW police motorcycles equipped with stationary and moving mode RADAR units.

The goal of the Traffic Unit is to reduce traffic collisions through geographic and temporal assignment of personnel, preventive patrols, and targeted enforcement based on accident data and traffic conditions. The unit partners with the Office of Traffic Safety to fund DUI checkpoints, saturation patrols, seatbelt enforcement, and distracted driving operations.

The Traffic Unit has RADAR Trailers and a Sign Trailer that alert drivers of their speeds. Citizens can request a trailer be placed on their street by calling (209) 456-8128.