THOSE PARTICIPATING INCLUDED:

Lieutenant Wrobel then introduced the newly elected President of ATAC, Bill Harris of Enterprise Rent-A-Car Security.  Bill introduced the new ATAC Board, Vice President Maggie Mitchell from the CHP Border Division Investigative Services Unit, Secretary Carol VanNatter from the Automobile Club of Southern California Special Investigations Unit, and treasurer Bill deGuzman a retiree from Allstate Insurance Special Investigations Unit.

Bill spoke about changes that will be taking place in the next year.  He said that the Auto Theft Advisory Committee would be taking a new direction in the selection process of the Recovery Officer of the Year.  Bill said that significant pro-active contributions by officers to reduce auto theft, combined with a higher emphasis on "rolling stolens" will be the elements of the criteria to be considered.  Bill also said that he was looking forward to other changes in the Auto Theft Advisory Committee which will aid efforts to increase public awareness of vehicle theft.

Bill then introduced the Master of Ceremonies Pat Haslam.  Mr. Haslam gave an opening address and then welcomed everyone to avail themselves of the breakfast buffet.

After the buffet, Pat Haslam then introduced the guest speaker, Huntington Beach Police Chief Kenneth Small.

Pat Haslam then announced the winners as Lieutenant Wrobel and former AllState Insurance Special Investigations Unit Investigator Bill deGuzman handed out the numerous award plaques and recognition certificates to each of the winners.

The Top Five Honorees were:

Officer James Geist of the Santa Ana Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the most stolen vehicles throughout the entire county, 58 vehicles, including 14 "rolling stolens," resulting in 19 arrests, with a recovery value of approximately $213,500.00.  Officer Geist has remained in one of the top two positions overall for vehicle recoveries for the past five years.  In that time he has made 76 auto theft related arrests and recovered a total of 159 vehicles valued at $1,009,616.00.

Officer Geist was presented with a check for his designated charity, the Arthritis Foundation, from the Auto Theft Advisory Committee. 

Additionally John Sackrison, Executive Director of the Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented the top five officers a donation check to their designated charity. 

Officer James Geist chose the Arthritis Foundation.

Officer Tom Carney of the Buena Park Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the second most stolen vehicles in the county.  The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer Carney's designated charity, the Boys and Girls Club of Buena Park.

Officer Mark Lillemoen of the Anaheim Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the third most stolen vehicles in the county.  The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer Lillemoen's designated charity, the American Diabetes Association.

Officer Kory Ferrin of the Garden Grove Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the fourth most stolen vehicles in the county.  The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer Ferrin's designated charity, the National Parkinson Foundation.

Officer William Eifert of the Westminster Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the fifth most stolen vehicles in the county.  The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer Eifert's designated charity, the American Cancer Society.

Special thanks to the following organizations for participating and sponsor- ing the Orange County Auto Theft Advisory Committee (A.T.A.C.) and its Officer of the Year Program; as well as a thank you to the Santa Ana Elks Lodge for their hospitality over the past twelve years.