World’s funniest cop is in our neighborhood

With so much negative press centered around law enforcement over the past few months, it’s always good to see police officers making people smile, and one officer is Monterey is going beyond the call of duty. He’s making people laugh.

“So she makes a u-turn and I get behind her going *makes siren noises* and that wasn’t the siren, that was just me screwing around with the P.A. system in the car,” yells comedian Michael Mancini while on stage.

By night, Michael Mancini is a professional comedian from Santa Cruz. By day, Michael Mancini is a police officer at the Presidio of Monterey.

“I was going to school to become a police officer. I had put myself through college and got my degree in law enforcement, and then during that time, I got into comedy. Somebody gave me a dare, and I said ‘I’ll do it,”‘ said Mancini.

Mancini’s story began in Japan where he was born on a military base.

“I have a little tattoo that says ‘Made in Japan.’ I don’t, I don’t,” joked Mancini.

Mancini has been in law enforcement for 18 years and comedy for 32. His experience on the force provides plenty of material.

“I cannot give you a ticket ma’am because you just gave me a new joke,” says Mancini on stage.

“Comedy’s a very powerful tool, though. If you do it at the right time, it can really de-escalate situations, but it has to be at the right time,” says Mancini.

His first job has become a lot easier since starting his second job.

“Before I became a policeman, I would always sit home and read the paper and watch the news and i had to write a joke, and it had the punch but not like it did. Once i became a police office? Pffft…material was just coming to me left and right. I didn’t have to write any more jokes,” laughed Mancini.

“I see the suspect run across the street about 30 yards away, so I activate my lights and siren, I come up on the guy, I hit the brakes, and the bad guy ran right into the side of my car, right? H! That’s what the report said,” yells Mancini on stage.

Mancini has his serious side. He’s seen his brothers in blue get hurt or make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, and takes part in benefits to help their families.

“Unfortunately I do more of those than I’d prefer, but I mean I do quite a bit. One organization, I think we raised 80-grand for their family and that money went to their kids so they could go to college,” says Mancini.

So while his comedy career won’t be slowing down, his career in law enforcement also isn’t getting pulled over.

“I will tell you right now folks, I would rather take on a parolee looking at his third strike before I take on a minivan mom with 2 kids in the car,” says Mancini on stage. Besides, this gig here’s got some really good medical benefits so I gotta stick with that!”