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AGUILAR NOW INTERIM CHIEF
Will serve until Manteca hires permanent police chief
police chief
Captain Aguilar, right, takes the oath to become Interim Chief of Police Outgoing Interim Chief of Police Mike Harden is on the left. City Clerk Cassandra Candini is administering the oath.

Captain Mike Aguilar takes over today as the interim chief for the Manteca Police Department.

Aguilar will be serving as interim police chief until the city resumes the hiring process for a permanent police chief. That search is expected to start after the City hires its permanent City Manager.

 Aguilar has been a part of the Manteca Police force since August of 1997. He was promoted to captain in August of 2018. He was appointed Acting Chief of Police in November of 2019. He served in the role of Acting Chief of Police until retired Modesto Police Chief Mike Harden’s appointment as interim chief in August of 2020.

 “We have been fortunate to have had Chief Harden serve as our Police Chief and are thankful for all of his work and commitment,” Aguilar said. “Our department has benefited from his experience and leadership.”

Additional changes at the police department include Lieutenant Stephen Schluer being appointed to serve as Acting Captain to oversee the Services Division of the police department. This division is comprised of the Investigation Units (Detectives, Street Crimes Unit, and task force officers) as well as Records, Dispatch, Animal Services and Property/Evidence.

Captain Charles Goeken will be taking over as the Operations Division Commander which includes Patrol, Traffic, SWAT, EOD and various other specialty units and assignments.