There is a new group in a bid to influence the outcome of the Manteca’s mayoral race.

Several retired law enforcement officers from other jurisdictions that now reside in Manteca have formed the Retired Police Officers’ Association (RPOA).

The group indicated on their website they were formed after the Manteca Police Officers Association that represents the city’s frontline law enforcement officers endorsed Gary Singh for mayor on Nov. 8.

In announcing the endorsement that irked the RPOA, Manteca Police Officers Association President Ian Osborn stated, “The Manteca Police Officers’ Association has endorsed Gary Singh for Mayor in the upcoming November election. Councilman Singh and the MPOA have a good working relationship. Public safety and the general well-being of the citizens are our top priority.  We look forward to working with Gary in the upcoming years.”

The fledgling group of retired police officers hope to gain membership from the ranks of hundreds of retired law enforcement officers from other jurisdictions — in addition to any from Manteca — who reside in the city. They also are open to those currently serving in law enforcement.

The website notes the retired officers in RPOA originally and informally met together to establish friendships and discuss issues in and around Manteca. 

“Let's face it,” the RPOA website states, “Manteca is known for its lawlessness.  Manteca is below the standard citizen to officer ratio of 1000:1.  It is common knowledge there can be as few as 4 officers on patrol for a city of almost 90,000 people.  This puts our officers' safety at risk and is a risk to our community . . . Our goal is to use our vast experience and knowledge to continue to contribute and serve our community after retirement.  “

The RPOA is not a political action committee nor does it seek fees, due, or donations. Instead, it was formed to provide a voice for those that disagree with the MPOA’s endorsement as well as concerns they have with Manteca law enforcement.

Among the reasons they have provided as to why they are stepping up their involvement in the election and are seeking like-minded retired law enforcement officers to join them include:

 *Several members are backers of Lei Ann Larson for mayor, who they noted was not contacted by the MPOA to evaluate her positions on law enforcement.

*Mayor Ben Cantu and Singh “marched shoulder-to-shoulder” with supporters of Black Lifes Matter in an event June 2, 2020 in Manteca. As such the RPOA concludes Singh and Cantu support the defunding of police based on a May 30, 2020 article the RPOA references on the  blacklivesmatter.com website calling for the national defunding of police.

It should be pointed out weeks after Singh and Cantu appeared at the rally, they voted to increase spending for Manteca Police when they approved the city budget. They also increased law enforcement spending in the subsequent two municipal budgets as well.

Singh also is pushing for a citywide vote in 2024 to increase the half cent public sales tax that exclusively funds frontline police and firefighters by a quarter of a cent.

*Manteca Police Chief Mike Aguilar in March 2022 stated his department needed 7 more sworn officers, plus a code enforcement officer, and a community resource officer for traffic enforcement. The budget that the council adopted only allotted one police officer trainee from the general fund although several positions were added via the public safety tax fund.

*In 2019, according to the Criminal Justice Information Services Division of the FBI, Manteca only had 8.9 sworn officers per 10,000 residents. The city of Tracy had 9.3, the city of Modesto had 9.4, the city of Ripon had 13.04, and the city of Stockton had 14.63 officers per 10,000 residents.

*The RPOA believes The lack of sufficient staffing leads to additional problems, such as underreporting of crimes because there is simply not enough manpower to address lower-level offenses.

 The website (https://retiredpeaceoffice.wixsite.com/retired-peace-office) has a contact page as well as an email account at Retiredpeacceofficers@gmail.com.

There is also am endorsement page although none are actually listed.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com