Special honors were presented recently to Escalon Police Officer Carl Poortinga. He was recognized as Escalon’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Stanislaus Civitan Club in ceremonies on May 17 at the Howard Training Center in Modesto.

Officer Poortinga retired from the Navy after 20 years of service, and he then attended the police academy at Delta College in Stockton. He was selected as the class leader for his class, and graduated in August 2014. He was hired by the Escalon Police Department in October of 2014.

“During the last year he has been an example of the type of police officer you would want in your community. He is at the top in every statistical category from reports taken, stops made, citations issued, arrests and incidents responded to,” noted Escalon Police Chief Mike Borges.

Comments from his peers included the following: “he works diligently and he is thorough. He seems concerned about the quality of his work and interested in keeping in touch with the citizens.”

Borges said he also has helped improve police-community interaction.

“Officer Poortinga was the driving force behind our ‘Coffee with a Cop’ sessions, he participated in the 2015 Ripon Law Enforcement car show with one of our patrol units, and took third place in working patrol car level,” Borges said. “He has made numerous visits to local schools for presentations to children, and has taken part in Escalon Toys for Tots with the Fire Department.”

For his part, Officer Poortinga said he wants to continue his involvement with the community and serve the people of Escalon.

“Please join with us in congratulating Officer Carl Poortinga as the Escalon Police Department’s 2016 Officer of the Year,” Borges said.