When Tejinder “TJ” Singh started as a Manteca Police Explorer back in May, he only had two months left until the end of the quarter.

And he hit the ground running so hard that he was honored this week as the Manteca Police Department’s Volunteer of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2023.

According to the agency, Singh made it to each weekly meeting held leading up to the Central Valley Explorer Competition as well as events such as the Watermelon Street Fair, training sessions at CQB City, helping with the Jr. CSI Academy, and the MRPS Festa Parade.

“Having no background in Law Enforcement, Tejinder has been able to learn quickly when being taught about Law Enforcement,” the agency wrote in a statement announcing his honor. “Tejinder has shown great leadership qualities and does not shy away from taking charge in unfamiliar situations.”

And those leadership qualities apparently paid off.

When competing with a squad of three other Explorers at the competition, Singh reportedly took the initiative to suggest arriving early to practice the morning of the Drill competition – resulting in the team taking 3rd Place overall despite having only limited time to practice.

“Overall, Tejinder is a great person, who is always willing to help, and is a great leader,” the Manteca Police Department said in honoring him.

Singh joins officer Eric Esparza – who came to Manteca two years ago from the Oakland Police Department and is currently a Sergeant First Class in the United States Army Reserves – in being honored for their on-the-job performance this quarter. Esparza was announced last week as the Employee of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2023.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.