The City of Lathrop Police Department welcomed Officer Gabrielle Embers-Hartman Monday.

The newcomer has three years of experience with the Oakland Police Department, having started patrol locally this week.

The City of Lathrop Police Department is committed to providing the highest level of public safety and community engagement, with some of the recent trends consisting of an increase in traffic incidents, population growth, and rising community concerns having already strained existing resources, according to the staff report from the Oct. 21 special meeting of the Lathrop City Council.

Elected leaders convened to authorized funding for one additional sworn police officer position along with the ability to over-hire two sworn police positions in order to maintain authorized staffing levels.

All patrol officers are currently expected to conduct traffic enforcement when not responding to call for service – Lathrop police have one qualified motor officer responsible for targeted enforcement and investigating any serious collisions for the 22 square miles that make up the city.

Not too long ago, LPD announced the establishment of a dedicated Traffic Unit staffed by three full-time motor officers and a sergeant.

“One of the motor officer positions was previously assigned to patrol, and the reassignment will leave one less officer on patrol.