Police Department
The "Police Department" provides various community involvement programs, enforcement services, general community services, and community involvement services on a City-wide basis. The Police Department’s central management staff is also responsible for intelligence, planning and research, and personnel and training. The mission of the Department is to make Placentia a safe and enjoyable place in which to live and work.
Enforcement Services
Includes those services designed to reduce the crime rate and traffic accident rate within the City. These functions include the identification and arrest of criminal offenders, follow-up investigations, crime prevention patrol, traffic enforcement patrol, investigation services, delinquency prevention, laboratory services, and property custody. Crime statistics are also prepared and monitored, with an effort towards reducing crime and traffic accidents within the City. Recent emphasis has been placed on reducing burglary and auto theft.
General Community Services
Includes those services not directly related to "catching the bad guy," but which are still vital to the overall well being of the community. These include the Burglary Prevention Program, Robbery Prevention Program, Bicycle Safety Program, fingerprinting services, and law enforcement-related inspectional services. Public relations are conducted on an ongoing basis with civic, homeowner, and social organizations within the city. Special community projects are also performed, as necessary. The goal of this function is to create an atmosphere in which citizens can feel at ease in their homes and in the community as a whole.
Community Involvement Services
Encompasses those operations and programs designed to strengthen the bond between the community and the Police Department by supplementing police resources by public participation. These include the Neighborhood Watch Program, Radio Watch, Crossing Guard Program, involvement with the Police Explorer Post, Reserve Officer Program, Volunteers in Police Program, Police Chaplains Program, and the Ride Along Program. Citizens work hand-in-hand with Department personnel to better serve the community. Without the effort of these programs, the Department would require a substantial increase in the number of paid employees. Participation and volunteerism are the cornerstone of community involvement services.
