 | The Police Department has expanded programs and initiatives, which are part of its Community Oriented Policing & Problem Solving model, its Reserve Program and the Department’s Volunteers in Policing Program (VIP). Each of these programs supplements public safety services to the community at a time when the challenges to local law enforcement agencies are at an all time high and funding has been critically impacted.
Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) and Problem Oriented Policing (POP)
The COPPS philosophy reassesses who is responsible for public safety and redefines the roles and relationships between the police and the community to require shared ownership, shared decision-making, and shared accountability. To facilitate a more organized approach to problem identification and their solutions, the Department utilizes a Problem Oriented Policing (POP) approach, which facilitates recording the problem, identifying the resources needed to solve problems and maintains a record of Police-Community efforts at resolving the problem(s). Law Enforcement personnel, government agencies and citizens/volunteers coordinate a unified response to mobilize resources to solve problems. Citizens wishing to learn more about the Department’s COPPS initiatives or assistance with a project in your neighborhood can write the Department at: 422 Capitola Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010, or may telephone: (831) 475-4242.
Police Reserve Program
The Capitola Police Department has an existing Reserve Police Officer Program. Reserve Officers supplement the resources of the Department by providing supplemental staffing to assist officers with patrol duties, special events and during critical incidents impacting the public’s welfare and safety. Reserve Officers must meet the requirements set forth by the California Commission on Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST) prior to their appointment to the Police Reserve. For information about the Reserve Officer Program contact the Police Department at (831) 475-4242 and ask for the Reserve Officer Coordinator.
Volunteers in Policing (VIP)
The Capitola Police Department’s Volunteers in Policing (V.I.P.) Program is comprised of citizens from throughout the City and Santa Cruz County. These trained volunteers shall be utilized to enhance crime prevention and community services within the City of Capitola. V.I.P. personnel perform a multitude of services for the Department, such as:
- Vacation Residence Checks
- Police Vehicle Maintenance and re-supply
- Court Liaison
- Clerical Support
- Traffic Control and Investigation
- Welfare Checks for Senior Citizens
- Staffing of the Department’s Community Outreach Center
- Assistance on Community Policing Projects
- Neighborhood Patrols
- Help Organize and Support Neighborhood Watch Groups
- Emergency Operations & Critical Incident Management Support
- And much, much more!
VIPS Application
For information on these programs, or how to join the V.I.P. team, please contact the Department’s V.I.P. Coordinator at (831) 475-4242. |