Policing Philosophy Carlos Rojas Chief of Police www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/pd/ www.joinsantaanapd.com
SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT Mission To deliver public safety services to our community with the utmost professionalism and integrity. Vision The Santa Ana Police Department strives to be a leader in community policing by providing exceptional policing services that embody the spirit of community partnerships by being responsive, efficient and transparent in resolving community concerns about public safety. Values The organizational values of the Santa Ana Police Department are the foundation from which the policies that govern all aspects of police service delivery are derived. These values serve as a public declaration of the principles, which guide the Department and articulate its commitment to professionalism. Our values act as the guideline for the discretionary use of police powers and are the basis by which employee actions are evaluated. Our values are reflected in every operational policy and procedure. All members are expected to uphold each value, thereby fulfilling the standards of conduct. The Santa Ana Police Department will reward conduct which best exemplifies our values and sanction behavior which is contrary to these values: INTEGRITY ACCOUNTABILITY COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION QUALITY SERVICE We value adherence to the rule of law, to the Constitutions of California and of the United States, and to complete honesty. We value ethical decision making and accepting responsibility for our decisions and actions. We value working with Santa Ana's diverse communities to ensure the safety and security of our neighborhoods. We value providing fair, courteous, responsive and efficient service, equally to all people, which observes each individual's dignity and worth. 2
POLICING PHILOSOPHY OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE Chief Carlos Rojas 3
The City of Santa Ana is as diverse and dynamic as any community in America. As a large city, Santa Ana experiences challenges like other large urban areas of the United States. Accompanying these characteristics are natural feelings of uncertainty about the future. In order to successfully meet the dynamic challenges in our society and uncertainty in our community, our policing mission must be accomplished with the utmost professionalism and integrity. I firmly believe the key to providing efficient and effective public safety in our city is embedded in lasting partnerships with our community. This emphasis on community partnerships is reflected in our Department values. I m committed to recruiting and maintaining a police force that reflects the Department s values in order to continually improve our service and enhance public safety throughout the entire city. In order to accomplish this, it is important that we provide the men and women of the Santa Ana Police Department with excellent training and the necessary equipment to keep our community safe. Our police employees understand the importance of treating people with dignity and respect. At the same time, our officers understand the priority in exercising their authority swiftly and without hesitation to ensure the safety of the community and themselves. During critical and routine situations, our officers will act with professionalism and explain these situations when it is safe to do so. Such explanations after police interactions increase the public s confidence in our Police Department. 4
While the Santa Ana Department s Community Oriented Policing philosophy spans decades, I understand the importance of allowing for modifications to our community policing strategies and tactics. These adaptations are necessary to address evolving public safety concerns; however, they must ensure cohesion with the community s expectations and needs. Further, though changes may periodically occur with regard to the Community Oriented Policing philosophy, the core concept of police partnering with the community to ensure public safety remains indispensable. This solid foundation of community partnerships, prepared to meet current and future challenges, will remain unchanged during my tenure. This statement describes our philosophy of Community Oriented Policing. It exemplifies our commitment to the community while specifying strategies and tactics that support our Mission, Vision and Values. These strategies and tactics are the key components of our Community Oriented Policing Philosophy. STRATEGIES Community Engagement All members of the Santa Ana Police Department will interact with community members in order to continuously build public trust and confidence in the Police Department. Traditional Police Response A traditional police response is necessary when community members are faced with a critical incident or emergency situation that requires immediate police attention and a rapid response. A traditional response will also encompass those tactics necessary to suppress violent crime, bring perpetrators to justice and provide victims with timely assistance. Problem Oriented Policing Leveraging community resources, city resources, multiple agencies and organizations to identify the root of a quality of life or crime problems in order to implement an enduring solution. Task Force Partnerships Leveraging county, state and federal resources to suppress violent crime, monitor repeat offenders and increase community safety. 5
Geographical Policing The concept of reducing the geographical size of a patrol officer's area of responsibility in order to increase service efficiency while increasing interaction and problem-solving efforts with members of the community. Data Driven Policing (Hot Spot Policing) The deployment of resources based on series and patterns of criminal activity. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Working closely with Planning & Building staff to ensure proper design and effective use of environments that can lead to a reduction in fear and the incidence of crime with a focus on quality of life. Situational Crime Prevention Pro-actively providing information to residents to make criminal activity less attractive to offenders. TACTICS Community Programs Delivery of community programs that enhance public trust and confidence while providing a tangible public safety benefit. Community Collaboration Partnerships with residents, businesses, non-profits organizations, faith-based organizations and other community stakeholders to enhance public safety. Non-traditional / Traditional Deployment of Personnel The use of vehicles, bicycles, horses and officers on foot address the public safety needs of a diverse community. High Visibility Preventative Patrols The use of officers to display a significant security presence to deter and prevent criminal activity. 6
Directed Enforcement Deployment of resources to mitigate and eliminate quality of life complaints. Focused Enforcement Large scale and multi-agency operations targeting organized crime and violent street gangs. POLICE PROFESSIONALISM AND DISCIPLINE The philosophy of Community Oriented Policing is rooted in credibility between police and the community. To maintain this high quality relationship, all cases of police response to community needs, whether reactive or proactive, must meet the highest standards of discipline and professionalism. All police personnel must be carefully selected and fully trained to provide the competent services for which they are responsible. In a highly professional department, the limits of officer discretion for handling events can have wide latitude. This discretion requires the thoughtful self-discipline of every individual in the department. However, to maintain that latitude and continue to enjoy the respect and cooperation of the community, each member must personally share accountability to the entire department for maintaining the highest standards of professional behavior. Failure to do this will diminish public confidence in the police. I regard it as an essential function of police leadership to establish and embody such high professional standards of behavior. Further, this leadership must ensure, without exception, that every individual in the Santa Ana Police Department does the same. Nothing less than the trust of our community and colleagues is at stake in this regard. Without this trust, effective Community Oriented Policing is impossible. I am firmly committed to the maintenance of police professionalism and individual discipline in the Santa Ana Police Department as we respond to the evolving public safety challenges in our community. 7
ACHIEVING AN OPTIMUM BALANCE BETWEEN STRATEGIES The balance between the Police Department s strategies is critical to the success of enhancing public safety. Due to the diversity and dynamics of our city, it is crucial to have sufficient strategies and tactics available to our officers so that adjustments can be made quickly in the constantly changing environment of policing. This will increase the officers' abilities to tailor an effective response and provide positive public safety outcomes to our residents. Our success with these strategies relies heavily on community partnerships and training of all police employees. SUMMARY This statement describes the Santa Ana Police Department s Community Oriented Policing philosophy. It articulates strategies and tactics that are consistent with the Mission, Vision and Values of the Police Department and compliment with the City s Strategic Plan. These collaborative policing strategies offer contributions to a comprehensive and balanced approach to maintaining high levels of safety and security throughout our community. Our policing philosophy is adaptable and will periodically change to meet the needs of the community. I am committed to continuous review and assessment of our strategies and tactics with community input and participation as a driving force. Only through collaborations between the Police Department and the public can we find the most effective and efficient way to improve community safety. Since the inception of the Community Policing Philosophy in the 1970 s to our current Strategic Plan, a considerable amount of progress in public safety has been made in the city of Santa Ana. We have reduced crime and disorder substantially, enhanced our working relationships with other agencies, and now occupy one of the most modernized Police Administration and Jail Facilities in the United States. Most importantly, we have joined with the community and created the finest Police Department in America, contributing significantly to an urban renewal in our community. 8
Community Oriented Policing Diagram Santa Ana Police Department 60 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92702 www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/pd/ www.joinsantaanapd.com