Rick Hand and Theo Rock are the newest members of Seniors Helping Area Residents and Police.

That’s the volunteer unit of the Manteca Police Department better known as SHARP.

Hand and Rock became official Thursday, taking the oath of office administered by Cpt. Paul Carmona, who is moving over to oversee police department of operations.

Lt. Gregg Beall will handle the department of services consisting of SHARP following Stephen Schluer’s recent promotion to interim police chief.

Hand and Rock are looking forward to helping the community as members of SHARP. Their respective wives, Michelle and Armita, had the honor of pinning on their badges during the special event held in the City of Manteca Council Chambers.

“We can now say that the Rock works for the Manteca Police Department,” said former councilman and SHARP Cpt. Richard Silverman jokingly.

He spearheads SHARP, which is in a rebuilding mode.

At one point, the unit formed back in 1991 – thanks in part to former Police Chief Willie Weatherford – averaged 65 members, plus. Silverman indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic drastically whittled down the number if volunteers.

SHARP, consisting of 32 volunteers, will be recruiting for volunteers online and a booth at the Manteca Crossroads Watermelon Street Faire in June.

SHARP’s primary goal is to help and support to local police and residents. This includes patrolling school areas and commercial parking lots to increase safety and deter crime, removing graffiti, and assisting with the clerical duties in the Records unit, to name a few.

While most of the volunteers are retired, Hand continues to work as a flooring contractor. He’s the owner and operator of Hands On Flooring.

“I enjoy interacting with the community,” said Hand, who is a longtime resident of Manteca. He credited his neighbor, SHARP member Chris Bern, for recruiting him.

Rock was brought introduced to SHARP via volunteer Willie Wilson.

He was a driver for United Parcel Service in Sunnyvale, retiring not too long ago after 27 years on the job.

“I wanted to keep busy,” said Rock, who is well versed in navigating the city streets.

He and Hand were on ride out with SHARP including mail runs. They were also handled graffiti cleaning, went on patrol, and vehicle abatement.

Those were all part of the assignments and tasks that SHARP do on a daily basis.

More information can be obtained by clicking on to www.manteca.gov/departments/police-department/services-division/sharps.