Support Services
Police Cadet Program
The Garden Grove Police Cadet Program introduces young men and women to the various aspects of the police department. The program is designed to give police personnel the opportunity to interact with and identify high-potential individuals for a future full-time position within the police department. CLICK HERE for the complete job description.
Communications
The Communications Division is the primary answer point for all 9-1-1 emergency and business calls to the police department. The center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed by a Communications Manager, 4 Shift Supervisors, 13 Public Safety Dispatchers and three Senior Community Services Officers.
The Communications Division is responsible for coordinating the safe and efficient delivery of essential police services to the community. It is a direct link between reporting parties and officers in the field. All requests for service are prioritized based on the nature of the call. Situations that require an emergency response include crimes in progress, injury traffic collisions, life-threatening medical situations and other circumstances where the police are needed immediately. Non-emergency calls for service are prioritized based on the dispatcher's conversation with the caller. The Fourth of July is by far the busiest day in terms of handling incoming phone calls.
Police Explorers
The Garden Grove Police Explorer Post, an extension of the Boy Scouts of America, provides an opportunity for young men and women to experience first hand how a police department functions and what it takes to get started with a challenging career in law enforcement. Read full description...
Investigations
The Mission of the Garden Grove Police Department Investigations Unit is to solve crime and apprehend criminals through a partnership with patrol and utilizing proactive and innovative Community Policing Techniques.
Reserve Officers
Garden Grove Police Department Reserve Officers work a variety of details such as Gang Suppression, Transportation, DUI Checkpoints, and Background Investigations, just to name a few. With all these options, you are assured of a job that is always new and exciting with room to grow.
Youth Services Unit
The Youth Services Unit (YSU) consists of one sergeant, two detectives, and five School Resource Officers (SROs). Together, the YSU team investigates graffiti-related crimes. SROs also assist the Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) by maintaining a presence on 14 different intermediate and high school campuses.
In 2022, the Department collaborated with GGUSD to add two support service dogs to the Unit, creating the Garden Grove Police Department Support Canine Program. The program pairs an SRO with a support service canine to provide an extra layer of social-emotional and de-escalation support for students dealing with anxiety, heightened emotions or behaviors, and other instances of trauma or tragedy.
Both canines have undergone extensive specialized training such as obedience in a chaotic environment, refraining from aggression or barking in a variety of environments, and remaining calm amidst stressful distractions. In addition to another 30-hours of training with a nationally certified K9 instructor, both dogs have also been evaluated by a Kennel Club trainer and awarded Canine Good Citizen certifications. Donations for the program can be made at the John Reynolds Youth Support Canine Foundation.