Police officers aren’t the only City of Manteca employees who get special behind-the-wheel training to perform their daily job duties. 

This past weekend the Manteca Police Department conducted vehicle operations training for both community service officers and animal control officers at the Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley. They tested drivers both in the classroom and behind the wheel at maneuvering through a driving course safely and effectively. 

While police officers often undergo training on an emergency vehicle operations course during their academy training, non-sworn employees that handle the supporting duties of the department still have to be able to traverse the challenges of an ever-changing job. 

By testing drivers with a variety of scenarios that included turning, backing up, and parking, the course was intended to prevent collisions and improve the overall safety of the department and the community at large. 

Currently the department’s community service officers drive compact SUVs fit for the diverse range of tasks that they may face in a given day, while animal control officers are assigned specially outfitted trucks with custom utility beds that are used to store animals that are picked up on the street. 

According to the City of Manteca, all who participated in the training did “exceptionally well” and “displayed proficiency in navigating the challenges of the driving course.”

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.