The Lathrop Police Services division of the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office has come out on top with two California Law Enforcement Challenge (CLEC) awards in a row thanks to a team effort of 26 sworn officers and a support staff of two.

Lathrop Chief Captain Danielle Hohe voiced her excitement for the award noting it was the only agency of its size in the state receiving consecutive honors in the Challenge competition.

Heading up the CHP’s Valley Division Guillermo “Willie” Godinez made the official presentation of the award to Chief Hohe as many of her deputies and CHP officers added to the law enforcement stage.

California Highway Patrol Commissioner Joseph A. Farrow, Office of Traffic Safety Director Chris Murphy and Alcohol Beverage Control director Jacob Appelsmith all signed a letter of congratulations to the small department. 

The letter of commendation read, “As a result of your exemplary contribution towards this coveted recognition for your hard work in 2012, it is your staff’s outstanding commitment toward increasing compliance with occupant restraint laws, removing impaired drivers from the roadways and increasing speed enforcement that has earned your agency this esteemed honor.”

Following the award ceremony in front of the Lathrop Police Services office Chief Hohe said she was very proud of her team.  “It has never been done that an agency has won the award two years in a row.  It’s good when a community is proud of its police force but it’s even more when a department is recognized throughout the state.”

A group of children from the neighboring Learning Tree Preschool walked by the ceremony with their instructor Connie Lum.  The chief knelt down with the children playing with them briefly before she pinned paper badges on them with the help of Deputy Les Garcia and Sheriff Steve Moore.

Chief Hohe concluded saying, “I had a great time today.”