Policy Text
Policy
344Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/05/04, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentCommunity Relations - 1Community Relations
344.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for community relationship-building.
Additional guidance on community relations and outreach is provided in other policies, including
the:
•Hate Crimes Policy.
•Limited English Proficiency Services Policy.
•Communications with Persons with Disabilities Policy.
•Chaplains Policy.
•Patrol Function Policy.
•Suspicious Activity Reporting Policy.
344.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Garden Grove Police Department to promote positive relationships between
members of the department and the community by treating community members with dignity
and respect and engaging them in public safety strategy development and relationship-building
activities, and by making relevant policy and operations information available to the community
in a transparent manner.
The Department recognizes the importance to maintain and further develop close relationships
with interested community groups, organizations, and business leaders. It is the responsibility of
every member of the Department to continually encourage community engagement in order to
provide the most appropriate and timely service to our community members.
344.3 MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES
Officers should, as time and circumstances reasonably permit:
(a)Make casual and consensual contacts with community members to promote positive
community relationships.
(b)Become reasonably familiar with the schools, businesses and community groups in
their assigned jurisdictional areas.
(c)Work with community members and the Community Liaison Division to identify issues
and solve problems related to community relations and public safety.
(d)Conduct periodic foot patrols of their assigned areas to facilitate interaction with
community members. Officers carrying out foot patrols should notify an appropriate
supervisor and Communications of their status (i.e., on foot patrol) and location before
beginning and upon completion of the foot patrol. They should also periodically inform
Communications of their location and status during the foot patrol.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Community Relations
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/05/04, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentCommunity Relations - 2Officers may be given assignments by their supervisors requiring foot patrols in a given area.
Officers will perform these assignments in accordance with their supervisor's instructions.
A Division Commander, with approval from the Bureau Commander, may assign a long-term
foot patrol detail due to a high concentration of calls for service in a high crime area involving
pedestrians on foot in the streets. Such a program must first be documented explaining the nature
of the problem, and the goals and objectives of the program.
344.4 YOUTH RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
This department recognizes the need to offer community youth alternatives to juvenile delinquency
and that such alternatives can be provided through youth recreational and athletic programs.
Each division will be responsible for developing and maintaining youth oriented programs in
keeping with the division goals and objectives relating to juveniles.
A division member who desires to establish a youth program will submit a written plan to his
respective Community Policing Division Commander on an intra-departmental memorandum.
Department personnel should take an active role in their local community youth recreational and
athletic programs, whether coaching, supervising, or providing a leadership role in developing a
program where none exists.
344.5 COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR
The Community Liaison Division is managed by a civilian Manager and is comprised of civilian
Community Service Officers (CSO's). The Community Liaison Manager reports to the Support
Services Lieutenant and is responsible for:
(a)Obtaining department-approved training related to his/her responsibilities.
(b)Responding to requests from department members and the community for assistance
in identifying issues and solving problems related to community relations and public
safety.
(c)Organizing and conducting surveys to measure the condition of the department's
relationship with the community.
(d)Working with community groups, department members and other community
resources to:
1.Identify and solve public safety problems within the community.
2.Organize programs and activities that help build positive relationships between
department members and the community and provide community members with
an improved understanding of department operations.
(e)Working with the Community Policing Bureau to develop patrol deployment plans that
allow officers the time to participate in community engagement and problem-solving
activities.
(f)Recognizing department and community members for exceptional work or
performance in community relations efforts.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Community Relations
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/05/04, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentCommunity Relations - 3(g)Attending City council and other community meetings to obtain information on
community relations needs.
(h)Assisting with the department's response to events that may affect community
relations, such as an incident where the conduct of a department member is called
into public question.
(i)Informing the Chief of Police and others of developments and needs related to the
furtherance of the department's community relations goals, as appropriate.
344.6 COMMUNITY AND YOUTH ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS
The Community Liaison Division should organize or assist with programs and activities that create
opportunities for department members and community members, especially youth, to interact in
a positive setting. Examples of such programs and events include:
(a)Police-community events (National Night Out, neighborhood beautification projects,
etc.).
(b)Youth leadership and life skills mentoring (as part of the Explorers Program).
(c)School Resource Officers school programs.
(d)Neighborhood Watch and crime prevention programs.
344.7 INFORMATION SHARING
The Community Liaison Division should work with the Public Information Officer to develop