Police Department Report

Chief's Message

It is with great pride and satisfaction that I present this 2009 Annual Report to the citizens of Garden Grove. This book highlights the accomplishments of the men and women who make up the heart and soul of this nationally accredited law enforcement agency.

The Mission of the Garden Grove Police Department, through a Community Policing Partnership, is to improve the quality of life in the city and provide a sense of safety and security to the community members. Since implementing Community Policing Garden Grove Style in 1993, our officers have not just been working in neighborhoods; they're working with neighborhoods.

Residents are enthusiastically taking advantage of our Citizen Police Academy, which offers an inside look into what police officers do on a daily basis. Also, our Juvenile Justice Center was recognized as a model for the State of California for its comprehensive approach to issues involving juvenile offenders, as it offers programs not only for the youth served but also for t heir families.

A police department is ultimately graded on its ability to combat crime and disorder. When you look at our figures you will see they are quite impressive. The Part 1 Crimes (homicide, robbery, rape, assault, burglary, larceny and auto theft) for 2009 dropped 14.9% compared to 2008. Looking at the decade between 1999 and today, the Part 1 Crimes have dropped 29.8%. Since 1990, Garden Grove has seen its Part 1 Crimes drop a whopping 47.4%.

The Garden Grove Police Department continues to live up to its reputation as one of America's best suburban police forces, as depicted in the November 1996 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine. We remain one of only 14 agencies in the entire state of California accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Our citizens can be proud that their police department maintains nationally recognized standards for excellence.

Joseph M. Polisar
Chief of Police