Effective law enforcement is more than just “cops and robbers.”

That point was driven home Thursday during the 2024 Manteca Rotary Don I. Asher Memorial Law Day awards conducted at Great Wolf Resort.

The honorees selected by their respective agencies were:

*Manteca Police Officer Matthew Smith who came up with a way for the department to deal more effectively with homeless loitering.

*San Joaquin County Sheriff Deputy Eric Hoover who was able to lead a coordinated effort to identify and arrest those responsible for  major copper thefts that were cutting telecommunications/Internet  services to thousands of county residents.

*San Joaquin County Probation Officer Elizabeth Worthington for her tireless efforts beyond expectations to help keep those on probation on the straight and narrow while providing them with dignity.

*California Highway Patrol officer Francisco Rangel who has effectively helped arrest and enable the prosecution of those conducting illegal sideshows as well as being able to stop and cite nearly a dozen motorists driving in excess of 100 mph among 25 high speed pursuits last year that all ended without a crash.

*San Joaquin County DA investigator Amber Seto that set in motion the establishment of a countywide task force tackling human trafficking that will be up and running by July.

Smith, who served as a Stockton Police officer before joining MPD in August of 2022, saw how the department was struggling to address concerns with loitering in downtown and commercial areas.

He used his knowledge of ordinance language that Stockton was able to put into place that gave officers more effective tools that go beyond simply asking those loitering to leave.

He worked with the police command staff and the city attorney to develop ordinance amendments that the Manteca City Council adopted several months ago.

The stepped up ability to address loitering is now in the process of being implemented with the required posting of signs with specific language as required by the courts.

Smith nine months ago joined the dedicated department  effort to  address homeless issues giving the agency  two officers dedicated to the endeavor.

Police Chief Stephen Schluer noted that Smith was not just a solid police officer but he had the compassion needed to work with the homeless to “give them a hand up and not just a hand out.”

Hoover’s efforts were able to identify the main player and his operation to secure five warrants and make 10 arrests that effectively put  a major copper theft ring out of business.

Raquel last year tallied 667 enforcement actions including 339 citations. That was on top of 781 service incidents involving aiding disabled motorists.

The sideshow bust was made because of detailed information he gathered and even after other participants and observers of the illegal event impeded his ability to do an arrest that night.

When the driver reached 140 mph, he dropped the pursuit.

He was able to secure and serve 15 warrants that eventually led to the arrest of the driver and three passengers as well as the impoundment of a black Doidge Charger.

An example offered of Worthington’s diligence and dedication was how she dealt with a parolee who had no means to travel to make a court date. Not only did she contact him and provide a ride to court, but she also made sure he was able to shower and be presentable in court to have — as her supervisor shared — “same dignity.”

Seto was lauded by DA Ron Freitas for her “expertise and unwavering dedication.”

Freitas noted when Seto isn’t “investigating, prosecuting, testifying, or consulting” in her efforts to stop human trafficking that she is also educating the public and making presentations.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com