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COSTA MESA POLICE DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
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DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESENTED BY: RONALD LAWRENCE, CHIEF OF POLICE
CONTACT INFORMATION: RONALD LAWRENCE, CHIEF OF POLICE, (714) 754-5117
RECOMMENDATION:
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Presentation of the Police Department’s operations, divisions and staffing aiming to offer insights into the Police Department's achievements, forthcoming objectives, and overall operations. Staff recommends that the City Council receive and file the report and presentation.
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BACKGROUND:
The Police Department is tasked with protecting life and property while preserving the peace. The department comprises three divisions; and each division is further split into different bureaus, units, or programs. The three divisions are as follows:
• Police Administration
• Police Field Operations
• Police Support Services
The Department’s Mission, Vision, and Values are:
• Mission: The Costa Mesa Police Department is dedicated to serving the community by upholding the law and enhancing public safety with honor and respect.
• Vision: The vision of the Costa Mesa Police Department is to strengthen community safety through innovative policing while inspiring a culture of collaboration and well-being.
• Values:
o Professionalism: To deliver the highest level of customer service through exemplary conduct, behavior, and character.
o Integrity: Maintain the public trust through honor and ethics.
o Empathy: Exercising emotional intelligence to understand and be sensitive to others’ circumstances.
o Courage: The mental and moral strength to do the right thing in the most challenging moments.
• Motto: Honored to Serve.
ANALYSIS:
Administrative Division: Within the Administrative Division, significant topics within the domains of community engagement, activities associated with public affairs, administration of the Professional Standards Bureau, and strategies employed for recruitment and retention will be discussed.
Field Operations Division: Within the Field Operations Division, the discussion will highlight aspects such as specialized assignments, service statistics, innovative technologies, traffic safety bureau statistics, special events, and jail operations.
Support Services Division: Within the Support Services Division, the focus will encompass bureau accomplishments, specialized assignments, service statistics, as well as the Organized Retail Theft Grant.
The Department’s overall budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 is $59.9 million. Additionally, the department secures various grants, including AB109 (2011 Public Safety Realignment Funds), Emergency Management Performance Grant, Proposition 69 (DNA Identification Fund), Justice Assistance Grant, Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program, and Office of Traffic Safety, among others, to support its initiatives.
DEPARTMENT CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Within the department, there exist both opportunities and challenges. Among the opportunities are the newly awarded Organized Retail Theft (ORT) grant and the implementation and utilization of license plate reader cameras. Conversely, challenges encompass aspects like recruitment and retention, staffing levels, and the dynamic task of implementing rapidly changing state laws.
In conclusion, the presentation will comprehensively review the current achievements of the Police and offer an in-depth perspective on plans and initiatives, outlining the ongoing commitment to enhancing public safety and community well-being.
ALTERNATIVES:
This agenda report is for information only, and therefore, there are no alternatives for this item.
FISCAL REVIEW:
There is no fiscal impact for this Department overview.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed this staff report and has approved it as to form.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
This item supports the following City Council Goal:
• Strengthen the Public’s Safety and Improve the Quality of Life.
• Recruit and Retain High Quality Staff.
CONCLUSION:
Presentation of the Police Department’s overview and accomplishments to the City Council, aiming to offer insights into the Police Department's achievements, forthcoming objectives, and operations relative to each division. Staff recommends that the City Council receive and file the report for background information in preparation for next fiscal year’s budget development process.