Sponsored by the San Diego County Auto Theft Advisory Committee (A.T.A.C.), a partnership between law enforcement, insurance, and other auto-related companies to reduce auto theft. A.T.A.C. is a subcommittee of the Western States Auto Theft Investigators Association, Southern Chapter.

"San Diego County is experiencing a continued vehicle theft problem but, thanks to the efforts of our road patrol officers, the problem is not as bad as it could be. Although it is still a significant criminal and economic problem that affects us all, we are maintaining some control over vehicle theft. 

Thieves continue to steal vehicles for their component parts, to use as transportation and smuggling, for illicit sales, and even for exportation to other countries. 

The Auto Theft Advisory Committee in sponsoring the Vehicle Theft Recovery Officer of the Year Program intends to raise public awareness in three ways:

* First: The committee will continue to recognize the positive effects that law enforcement agencies have had upon vehicle theft. 

* Second: The committee will continue to work with the media to produce public awareness messages which will provide tips to help prevent vehicle theft. 

* And Third: Is the reason we are all here today.  The committee will continue to recognize those officers in San Diego County who excel at vehicle theft recovery. 

 The Vehicle Theft Recovery Officer of the Year Award was developed to honor excellence in law enforcement, and to provide an incentive for officers in future years to become even more zealous in the recovery of stolen vehicles. 

The criteria qualifying an officer for the award consist of these conditions: 

1) The sworn peace officer must have been a regular "road" patrol officer when she or he earned the statistics qualifying her or him for the award.  This means that vehicle theft investigative positions and task force assignments are ineligible because they have an unfair advantage.

2) Only one individual per award.  In cases of ties, more weight will be given to rolling recoveries and arrests, and impact made on vehicle theft." 

As presented by Mistress of Ceremonies, Monica Zech, Public Information Officer for the City of El Cajon, at the March 16, 2010 A.T.A.C. Officer of the Year Awards Presentation.

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