Community Policing Bureau - Garden Grove

In November 2011, the Garden Grove Police DepartmentVIP program celebrated its 17th anniversary with a corpsof 34 volunteers. VIPs perform more than 31 differentassignments, including vacation checks and providingsupport for the Gang Suppression Unit, Juvenile JusticeCenter, Records, Traffic, and Victim Services. Since the VIPprogram began in 1994, Garden Grove Police VIPs havecontributed nearly 85,000 hours of volunteer time andtalent to the city, valued at almost two million dollars!In addition to their “regular” duties, VIPs providedinvaluable support to other divisions within theDepartment throughout 2011. For example, VIPsprocessed nearly 3,000 court disposition sheets for theEvidence Tracker system, saving detectives valuable timeand allowing them more time to investigate cases. Theyalso continued to perform patrol checks in the ResortArea and the west end industrial business park. This verysuccessful outreach serves as an excellent communityrelations tool, while providing a very visible lawenforcement presence. The consistent presence of VIPshas helped to drastically reduce vehicle-related crimesin these areas. The Department has received a great dealof enthusiastic feedback from several Resort area hotelsand restaurants, as well as a number of businesses,about the VIP crime deterrent efforts. These are butjust two examples of how our VIPs save the Departmentthousands of hours and millions of dollars, whileproviding critical services to the community.In the fall of 2006, the Garden Grove Police Departmentconducted its first Citizen Academy class for GardenGrove residents. The 13-session Citizen Academyis designed to teach citizens about the philosophy,policies, and guiding principals of law enforcement, andethical conduct governing police services in any givencommunity. By participating in the academy, citizenslearn about the daily operations of the Department,and how they can become an integral part of aCommunity Policing partnership that helps keep thecommunity safe (i.e. Neighborhood Watch, CommercialWatch). The Academy also benefits the Department inthat it strengthens partnerships within the community,and increases positive interaction with citizens. Sincethe Academy began in 2006, graduates have beenunwavering in their enthusiasm and consistent intheir feedback regarding their Academy experience.Without exception, every graduate stated they hada better understanding of how the Departmentfunctions and the need for policies and procedures.Several participants said the experience changed theirprevious perceptions in a very powerful way, and theyhad a much deeper appreciation of what patrol officers deal with on a daily basis. In 2009, the Department initiated its first‘graduate alumni’ classes with plans to host two to four of these gatherings a year. The purpose of these classes/field trips isto offer the graduates an opportunity to stay in touch with the Department on a regular basis and provide them with timelyinformation. To date, graduates have been allowed to observe DUI checkpoints and firing range qualifications, as well asspecial presentations on a high profile homicide case, illegal gambling machines, and medical marijuana dispensaries.