While supply chain issues were initially a concern for the City of Lathrop when it came to making sure that the items ordered for the Lathrop Police Department arrived on time, none of those concerns have actually materialized into any delays in outfitting the new police department.

That was the message last week during an update that city staff presented to the Lathrop City Council about the huge undertaking to join the ranks of the county’s other incorporated cities with its first-ever in-house police department – a longstanding goal of Lathrop’s leaders that was solidified with almost 18 months left on the city’s existing contract with San Joaquin County.

Starting on July 1, for the first time in more than three decades somebody other than the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office will be providing law enforcement services to the residents of Lathrop.

According to the presentation that was made to the council, badges and patches for the new uniforms have been designed and ordered, and equipment like firearms, tasers, body cameras, and other miscellaneous items needed have already started arriving.

Currently the City of Lathrop is in possession of 16 new Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles that are waiting to be upfitted with the installation of equipment necessary for their regular use. Of the seven unmarked Dodge Charger vehicles that were purchased, one is currently upfitted and ready for use while the others are undergoing the process.

The city will also be receiving the vehicles currently in use by the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office back at the conclusion of the contract, and units that are still able to be used for routine patrol will be rebranded and likely used as backup vehicles.

Modifications to the new police department building itself – located just across the Bradshaw’s Crossing Bridge in River Islands – are also underway to include a report-writing room and a variety of office space modifications. While the building was initially intended to house Lathrop Police Services – the contract agency through San Joaquin County – the decision to move forward with the longstanding goal of an in-house department sidelined that so that the new police officers and brass hired to launch the agency would have a location to work while the transition approaches.

So far the city has hired a police chief, an executive assistant, and two commanders – all of whom are currently City of Lathrop employees as they help with the process of hiring the officers and performing the tasks necessary to get the new agency up and running.

As of last week, the city had five of the six sergeants that they need to hire in the background check process, as well as 21 of the 24 police officers. The third round of police officer hiring closed in the middle of February. The team working to establish the new agency are currently in the process of reviewing those applications.

The city also has a records supervisor and one of the two records assistants needed in the background check process and are actively recruiting a management analyst. The city is currently preparing the recruitment process for an evidence technician as well as three community service officers.

While a permanent evidence storage solution has not yet been announced, the city will temporarily store its evidence with the Ripon Police Department – the agency that will also provide contracted dispatch services for the City of Lathrop. Temporary evidence lockers will be located inside of the booking room at the Lathrop Police Department once it becomes operational.

The City of Ripon is currently hiring new dispatchers necessary to take on the additional work that the contract will require.

While the move will initially cost millions of dollars, the City of Lathrop believes that the decision to stand on its own will ultimately save taxpayers money over the services that were being received under a contract basis – removing the high pension costs for San Joaquin County employees and the startup costs necessary for hiring new officers as the city grows. Based on its current goals, Lathrop will ultimately be adding additional officers and personnel while paying less per year than they did under the contract with San Joaquin County.

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