Impersonating a Police Officer

A few months ago Dave Thompson asked me if I would be interested in a chaplaincy program being developed through the Manteca Police Department that would allow the chaplains access to the public schools.  This program works with the school resource officers assigned to the schools as support for them and the students they encounter.  I have access to the school campuses and get to help kids connect with mentors to get them through some of the issues they are facing. 

Yesterday, I was able to go on my first call to Neil Hafley school to speak with a young man who has been missing quite a bit of school.  After waiting a while to see if he was going to show up, Officer Hensley and I went looking for him in the places he is known to hide.  On the way out the door, I was joking around with Officer Hensley about his car and he told me that it didn't matter because I would be driving - not him!  So I was able to drive the police car around the neighborhood and down the bike trail looking for this young man.  When it became clear that he was not where we thought he was, we headed back to the school. 

On our way back, my phone started buzzing.  As I was looking at my phone I asked officer Hensley if I was breaking the law (in California it is against the law to talk or text while driving!)  He told me that since I was on official police business, it was legal!!!  He snapped a couple of pictures of me driving the car and talking on my phone!
The next time you see a police officer, make sure it isn't me...I felt like a brand new driver in that car...I might run over you....and since I am on official police business, it would be legal!