Eight new Manteca police officers were officially sworn in by City Clerk Joan Tilton on Monday.
Some of the officers have already been working with their field training mentors to familiarize themselves with the community they are now serving.
The Badging Ceremonies were held in the city’s council chambers on West Center Street and included non-sworn personnel and others being promoted from their current positions.
Police Chief Nick Obligacion formally opened the mid-afternoon event welcoming the audience of family, co-workers and friends and making appropriate introductions to those in attendance.  Joe Kriskovich, Director of Human Resources and Risk Management, made additional remarks.
The new officers being sworn in were Stephen Smith, Joshua Gutierrez, Daniel Peters, Jose Placencia, Chris Stocks, Cory Dufour, Benedict Jemerigbe and Micah Brawley.
Promotions within the police department to the officer level included Travis Johnson, Garret Morrison and Joseph Ahuna being elevated to the rank of sergeant.  Kim Aguilar was promoted to community service officer and Kim Thomas is now the new public safety dispatch coordinator.  Eugene Estrella became the new booking officer during the ceremonies.
The non-sworn personnel being badged included Carly Bozsik animal services officer; Crystal Pascale-VanDykhuizen, lead animal control officer; Lynn Perry, Public safety dispatcher and Emila Horn, police records clerk.
City Manager Karen McLaughlin offered her congratulations to everyone following the badging ceremonies.