Editor, Manteca Bulletin,

I can never remember a time when I didn’t want to be a police officer.  Ever since I was about 8 years old it is the only thing I wanted to be.  I became a Manteca Police Cadet at 15 and joined the service as a military police officer at 18, but it wasn’t until I was one of 600 applicants testing for two civilian deputy sheriff positions that I truly realized what a privilege it was to actually get to be a police officer. 

The shift work, missed holidays, cancelled vacations, and other inconvenient parts of the job were just part of the price you paid for the privilege.  For me, this privilege was magnified by the fact that I got to be an officer here, in my home town. 

 I have always loved Manteca and the Manteca Police Department has been my second home for most of the last forty years.  I want to thank the citizens of Manteca for allowing me to serve this community.  It has been an honor to serve as your police chief for these past four years.  It has been the support of the community that has helped the Department to make it through the difficulty of these past few years. 

 Manteca is still my home town.  I still live here. I love my city and I have faith in our community.  This City is strong and filled with honest, honorable, hard working people who have always had the courage to stand up when it counted.  During my career I have seen the best and the worst our community has to offer.  Believe me when I tell you that the good far outweighs the bad.  This is our town and I am very proud of it.  We are in this together. 

 The men and women of the Manteca Police Department have been part of my family for most of my life.  They are simply the finest, most dedicated, courageous, and most honorable people I have ever known.  It has been both a pleasure and an honor to serve with them.  As my career with the Department comes to a close it is difficult to say goodbye.  I know I leave my Department and my City in good hands. 

 Thank you Manteca, for the opportunity to serve my community.  It has been a wonderful career.

Dave Bricker
Chief of Police
Manteca Police Department