The Police Department is responsible for the preservation of life and property through the application of the principles of Community Oriented Policing. The Department has two operating divisions: Operations and Support Services.

Operations
The Operations Division is comprised of police officers, sergeants, lieutenants, police assistants and canines that patrol the community on motorcycles, in vehicles, and on bicycles. They are responsible for the deployment and management of personnel and other resources to solve problems to improve the quality of life in and to maintain safety in the community. Pride and professionalism within the organization is achieved through caring and concern for the community, by enforcing laws, protecting life and property, preserving the public peace and solving problems.

Support Services
The Support Services Division personnel include police specialists and civilian staff. Investigative specialists are responsible for the follow-up investigation of crimes; identification and apprehension of criminals; recovery of property; identification and preservation of evidence; preparation of cases; and conducting vice and intelligence investigations. Support specialist functions also include recruitment; in-service and civilian training; communications and safety equipment maintenance; fleet readiness; youth education programs; grant management; and volunteer resources. Civilian staff are responsible for record keeping; custody, identification, security and care of all prisoners; storage and accountability for records of property and evidence pending final disposition by law; statistical reporting; crime analysis; purchasing, fiscal control; and personnel-related functions.

Special Funds
Police Department operations are greatly augmented by grants and special funds. (See Special Fund sections).

PUBLIC SERVICE GOAL: To protect and serve the community with pride and professionalism.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2002-2003

Implemented and staffed a "full-time" Community Oriented Policing and Problem
Solving (COPPS) Team, consisting of one sergeant and four uniformed police officers
who work in partnership with members of the community to identify and implement
long-term solutions to community quality of life issues.
Secured funding from State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to educate
and enforce ABC regulations within the business community.
Secured an additional $230,000 grant from the State Office of Traffic Safety to
purchase a state-of-the-art Command Post Trailer for use at DUI checkpoints, traffic
safety checkpoints, and other high visibility operations.
Completed extensive revision of Department's Policy and Procedures Manual to
meet current standards and practices.
Developed and implemented P.O.S.T. certified In-house training program so that
mandated training can now be provided internally.
Enhanced the Department's Computer Forensic equipment to better investigate
"high tech" crimes and Internet sexual predators.
Participated in regional law enforcement efforts such as Los Angeles Interagency
Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Taskforce (L.A. IMPACT); South Bay
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Task Force; South Bay Platoon; South Bay
Regional Gang Task Force; and regional parole and probation sweeps.
Implemented school safety plans for each public and private school within the City
boundaries based on a department audit of school facilities and resources.
Operated the Gang Resistance Education and Training program at Peary Middle
School, which addressed issues such as dealing with peer pressure, government
processes, and societal issues. Activities included visits to the Museum of
Tolerance, the Black History Museum, and South Bay Court.
Expanded the "Neighborhood Watch" Program by developing five (5) new
Neighborhood Watch groups.
Renovated the department's Records Bureau work area to better utilize the limited
space and to improve efficiency in report retrieval.
Installed a doublewide trailer (modular building) in the back lot of the police facility
to increase office space capabilities.
Updated and enhanced the Police Department's web-site, www.GardenaPD.org,
which now includes photographs and descriptions of the Police Department's
Divisions, Bureaus and Details, as well as recruitment information, the Department's
organization chart, history of the Department, biographies of management personnel,
and statistical data.
Awarded the "To Protect and To Serve" award for outstanding web page appearance
design from Shryock Communications.
Developed and implemented a new cable network television show entitled, "Heart
Beat of the Community" in cooperation with Time-Warner Cable. This program
highlights various police issues, crime prevention, and community relations. This
show also spotlights various members and details of the Gardena Police Department
so that the members of the community have a better understanding of those that
serve them.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002-2003

Integrate the principles of community oriented policing throughout the organization by:
Enhancing interaction with the community by scheduling regular community forums
in each of the six patrol "beats" during Fiscal Year 2003-2004.
Implementing quarterly meetings with members of the business community through
the Business Watch Program.
Developing and initiating a "Citizen's Academy" Program by March 1, 2004, to
increase the community's understanding and interaction with Police personnel.
Developing additional partnerships with other governmental entities to secure funding
to address community problems and issues, e.g. drugs, gangs, alcohol and traffic
safety.
Designing and implementing an "in-house" training program focusing on "Community
Oriented Policing" strategies and practices that will impact quality of life issues in
the City of Gardena.

Improve the technological components of law enforcement services to the community by:
Seeking and testing computer software products, such as voice recognition dictation
software, which will enhance productivity and efficiency levels in such areas as
report writing.
Implementing Feasibility Study to explore available options to enhance the
Department's "In-Car" Video recording capabilities utilizing "digital" technology.
Seeking new technologies to enhance the Department's information technology
systems to ensure efficiency.

Continue to Focus on the reorganization and rebuilding of the Department by:
Identifying by June 1, 2004, a core committee, consisting of personnel from all levels
of the organization, to develop and implement a Police Department Strategic Plan
for service to the Community.
Recruiting, testing, and appointing highly qualified personnel to fill all vacancies and
to "right-size" the Department, including specialized positions, through the
application of City and alternative funding sources by June 1, 2004.
Implementing a Professional Standards Unit to ensure appropriate use of current
and future technologies that document public interaction, with the objectives to
improve investigations, to enhance prosecutions and to limit exposure to litigation
by June 1, 2004.
Exploring available options for a new or renovated police facility.
Enhancing personal development of community youth through mentoring and
career development opportunities within the department.