COTATI POLICE
DEPARTMENT
2024
ANNUAL
REPORT
COTAT,
203 W. SIERRA AVENUE, COTATI,
EST. 1963
CA
POLICE
NON-EMERGENCY: (707) 792-4611
Message from the Chief
Welcome to the City of Cotati and the Cotati Police Department. As your Chief of Police, I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve alongside the dedicated men and women of the Cotati Police Department and the community to whom we strive to deliver exceptional public safety service.
Our mission is to create a safe and vibrant environment for our residents, businesses, and visitors. Our promise to continuously earn and improve public trust through equity, empathy, and accountability is paramount to this ambition.
Cotati is a united city due to strong community support for our department. The partnership we share with our community is made possible by the pledge we have made to proactively seek out opportunities to enhance meaningful relationships between our staff and residents, and diligently listen and respond to their needs in ways that value diversity and inclusion.
All of us at the Cotati Police Department are honored every day to provide superior service for our residents with pride and professionalism. We are humbled by the responsibilities entrusted upon us, and in turn, promise to carry out those duties with compassion, diligence, and the highest of ethical standards.
Chris Simmons, Chief of Police
Table of Contents
4) Organizational Chart 30)
Automated License Plate Reader
5) Calls for Service
6) Arrest Statistics 31-33) Use of Force
7) NIBRS Person Crimes 34) Assembly Bill 481
NIBRS Property Crimes 35) Neighborhood Officer Meetings NIBRS Other Crimes Vehicle Fleet
36)
10) Citations 37) Patrol
11-12) Citizen Complaints
38) Animal Control
13-15) SAFE Team
16-24) RIPA 39) Dispatch
25) Emergency Preparedness 40) K9 Team
26) DEA Prescription Drug Takeback 41) Cadets & Volunteers 27) Shadership is Supervisory 42) Community Outreach & Social Media 28) Training 43) Commendations
44) 2025 Snapshot
ORGANIZATION
AL
CHART
10o00
Tyler Wardle
Sergeant Brian Deaton
Sergeant
Anthony Garber
Corporal / Detective
Jerry Cunningham
Police Officer
Ryan Sullivan
K9 Police Officer Casey Perry
Police Officer
Michael Iturbe
Police Officer
Police Officer
Wei Ze Yu
Police Officer VACANT
Police Officer
VACANT
Police Officer
CALLS
6873
FOR
6000 5772
5737
SERVICE 5501
5423 5445
4910
4000
3000
2000
1000
2021 2022 2023 2024
• Calls for Service Officer Initiated
350
ARREST 318
300
STATISTI
CS 250
200
175 172
* Penal Code section 849: 150 -
Arrested and released from 128
custody (not booked in
county jail) pending further 100 -
evidence or investigatory
leads (or for intoxication only
or low-level drug offenses).
This also includes subjects
arrested but no charges filed.
This is ultimately considered
2022 2023
a detention only.
• Arrested/Booked Cited •849 Detention Release*
NATIONAL
INCIDENT
39 BASED
REPORTING
SYSTEM
(NIBRS)
TOTAL
"PERSON"
CRIMES
10 Murder Kidnapping Aggravated Simple Assault - Statutory Forcible Forcible Rape Forcible Assault Assault Intimidation Rape Sodomy Sexual
Assault with
Object
• 2023 • 2024
NATIONAL
INCIDENT BASED
REPORTING
SYSTEM
(NIBRS)
TOTAL
"PROPERTY" 10
CRIMES
22 Embezzlement Motor vehicle theft Shoplifting Purse Snatching Arson Robbery Vandalism - Destruction of Property Stolen Property Offenses Fraud - Identity Theft Fraud - Impersonation Fraud - Credit Card / ATM Fraud - False Pretenses Counterfeiting / Forgery General larceny / Theft Theft of motor vehicle parts Theft from motor vehicle Theft from building Burglary / Breaking and Entering Extortion/ Blackmail • 2023 2024
NATIONAL
INCIDENT
200
BASED
REPORTING 161
150
138
SYSTEM
(NIBRS)
TOTAL "OTHER"
44 40 44 44
CRIMES
21 21 4 4 2 3
All Other - Criminal Trespass of Real Property Family Offenses Disorderly Conduct Drug / Narcotic Offenses Drug Equipment Violations Pornography / Obscene Material Weapon Law Violation Animal Cruelty • 2023 =2024
CITATION
418
350
298
300
250
200
150
116
100 93 91 90
68 50 37 29
41 21 17
FIX-IT LICENSE MOVING MUNICODE NON-MOVING REGISTRATION
CITATION VIOLATION VIOLATION VIOLATION VIOLATION VIOLATION = 2023 • 2024
10 CITIZEN
In 2024, the Police Department received a total of 5 complaints out of a total of 12,610 events (0.04%). The total logged events do not include COMPLAINT numerous other interactions the department had with the community, such as daily information or informal interactions, or citizen business at the Dispatch counter, for example. The police department receives complaints through a variety of sources, including the official complaint form, city website, emails, telephone, and in-person. For every complaint received, the Police Department investigates the allegations completely.
The following are the sources of the complaints for calendar years 2023 and 2024:
Source of Complaints 2023 2024 Initial Allegation 2023 2024 In Person Conduct Unbecoming
Physical / Paper Form Procedural
Web Form Use of Force
Email Not related to Police
Telephone
CITIZEN CATEGORIES OF ALLEGATION
Procedural: This category typically involves complaints of unfair parking enforcement, contesting traffic tickets or failure of the Officer to act.
COMPLAINT
Conduct Unbecoming: This category of allegation is a complaint of rude or discourteous behavior of the Officer.
Use of Force: This category of allegation is a complaint regarding Officer use of force.
Not related to Police: This category of allegation involves a complaint that is unrelated to the Cotati Police Department.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS
Sustained: The investigation disclosed sufficient evidence to prove the allegation. Outcome after
2023 2024
investigation
Not Sustained: The investigation did not disclose sufficient evidence to prove the allegation. Unfounded
Exonerated: The actions of the Officer which formed the basis for the Sustained allegation
are not violations of policy and/or law. TOTAL
Unfounded: The investigation established that the allegation is not true. *Withdrawn/Closed: The allegation was rescinded by the complainant, resolved 12 to the complainant's satisfaction, or complainant was unresponsive in attempts to contact and develop the basis of an allegation.
SPECIALIZED ASSISTANCE FOR EVERYONE (SAFE) TEAM
The South County SAFE Team provides three main services to the community:
1) Response to issues relating to mental health, addiction and homelessness 2) Non-emergency response for people in need
3) Proactive and continued community outreach
Cotati, Rohnert Park, and Sonoma State University have partnered to provide a mobile mental health crisis response team for our cities. In 2023 the SAFE Team expanded their hours and is now available for response 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our SAFE team consists of a mental health professional/resource advocate and a medic (nurse, paramedic or EMT).
SAFE works proactively to address low level issues and provides preventative outreach to help ensure individuals don't end up needing a higher level of care. SAFE can identify shelter options for the unhoused, mental health services for people in crisis, connect people with resources to address addiction, and provide health care that does not meet the threshold of an ambulance response.
When SAFE is not responding to calls-for-service, they conduct outreach to the unhoused, including evaluating their condition and providing shelter and counseling information.
SAFE is intended to benefit everyone by keeping police officers, firefighters, and paramedics available for other emergencies.
If you observe someone experiencing mental health or housing issues, you can contact SAFE at 707-792-4611 for non-emergencies or 911 for emergencies.
SPECIALIZED ASSISTANCE FOR EVERYONE (SAFE) TEAM
SAFE Team Calls for Service - 2024
Counseling Requests; 32
Community
Engagement/Outreach; Death Notifications: 0
Public Assists; 100
Police/EMS Assist; 58
First Aid/Medical
Assessment; 0 Suicidal Subject; 11|
Welfare Checks; 48
• Counseling Requests • Death Notifications • Public Assists • Suicidal Subject = Welfare Checks • First Aid/Medical Assessment • Police/EMS Assist = Community Engagement/Outreach
During 2024, The SAFE Team responded to 326 calls for service in Cotati. 14 SPECIALIZED ASSISTANCE FOR EVERYONE (SAFE) TEAM
SAFE Calls Initiated By
Attached to Dispatch 0.0%
Self Initiated 24.3%
rag Down 1036
Dispatch 75.4%
0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0%
15 RACIAL AND IDENTITY PROFILING ACT (RIPA)
Fail sage are an elected a year he Ri boat a fore group of mentor are an public, law enforcement, and educators.
The goal of the RIPA Board is to strengthen law enforcement-community relations in California through collaboration, transparency, and accountability. The California Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of the Attorney General, has the primary oversight of the RIPA Board.
A "RIPA stop" is defined as any detention or search, with the goal to "collect perceived demographic and other detailed data regarding pedestrian and traffic stops. in he cager 208. at on genes in ona county into rice to it i earning are For transparency, the Cotati Police Department decided to collect RIPA data before the scheduled mandate. and Windsor Sonoma and Windsor contact police Semes wil the Bienis Departmenta kos, Son ma, review and quality control.
RACIAL AND IDENTITY PROFILING ACT (RIPA)
The chart below reflects the total number of RIPA stops conducted during that year. 3400
3300 3269
3100
2900
2808
2700
2600
2500
2023 2024
The following data was collecting during those RIPA stops:
RACIAL AND IDENTITY PROFILING ACT (RIPA)
PERCEIVED RACE/ETHNICITY
2023 2024
60% 54% 60.0%
51.5%
50% 50.0%
40% 40.0% 34.5%
31%
30% 30.0%
20% 20.0%
10% 6% 10.0% 5.9%
3% 3.5% 2.8% 1.3%
1% 0.1% 0.3%
0.0%
Asian Black/ Hispanic/ Middle Native Pacific White
African Latino Eastern or American Islander Pacific Islander White Multiracial American Hispanic / Latine(x) Native American
Black / African American Middle Eastern / South Asian
18 RACIAL AND IDENTITY PROFILING ACT (RIPA)
PERCEIVED GENDER
2023 2024
80.0% 80.00%
68.9% 70.79%
70.0% 70.00%
60.0% 60.00%
50.0% 50.00%
40.0% 40.00%
30.2% 29.03%
30.0% 30.00%
20.0% 20.00%
10.0% 10.00%
0.1% 0.1% 0.7% 0.12% 0.06% 0%
0.0% 0.00%
Cisgender Cisgender Transgender Transgender Nonbinary Cisgender Cisgender Transgender Transgender Nonbinary man/boy woman/girl man/boy woman/girl person man/boy woman/girl man/boy woman/girl person 19 RACIAL AND IDENTITY PROFILING ACT (RIPA)
PERCEIVED AGE GROUP
1-9 Years 2023 2024
10-14 Years 1-9 Years 10-14 Years
0% 0% 65+ Years 0.21%
15-17 Years 0.15%
65+ Years 1% 5.23%
5% , 15-17 Years
55-64 Years 0.89%
55-64 Years 8.53%
18-24 Years 18-24 Years
17.90%
18%
45-54 Years 45-54 Years
15.20%
18%
25-34 Years
29.52%
25-34 Years
27% 35-44 Years
35-44 Years 22.36%
22%
• 1-9 Years •10-14 Years • 15-17 Years •18-24 Years •25-34 Years • 1-9 Years • 10-14 Years • 15-17 Years •18-24 Years •25-34 Years •35-44 Years •45-54 Years • 55-64 Years •65+ Years •35-44 Years •45-54 Years •55-64 Years 65+ Years 20 RACIAL AND IDENTITY PROFILING ACT (RIPA)
REASON FOR STOP
2023 2024
Consensual encounter and 2.9% Probable cause to take into custody |0.4% search under 5150 W&I
Investigation to determine if 0.1% Consensual encounter and search | 1.6% truant
Probable cause to arrest or search |0.3%
Knowledge of wanted person 1,7%
Knowledge of wanted person |1.2%
Known to be on Parole / 2.0%
Probation
Known to be on Parole / Probation 1.1%
Reasonable Suspicion 6.3%
Reasonable Suspicion 6.3%
Traffic Violation 87.0% Traffic Violation 89.1%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0% 0.0% 50.0% 100.0%
RACIAL AND IDENTITY PROFILING ACT (RIPA)
BASIS FOR SEARCH
2023 2024
Vehicle inventory 14 Vehicle inventory o
Exigent circumstances/emergency 0 Exigent circumstances/emergency |1 Incident to arrest 1254
Incident to arrest 385
Evidence of crime •10
Canine detection Evidence of crime 14
Odor of contraband Visible contraband • 19
Visible contraband Suspected weapons 13
Suspected weapons 1 Condition of parole/probation/PRCS • 92 Condition of parole/probation/PRCS 199
Search warrant 0
Search warrant 13
Officer safety / safety of others 15
Officer safety / safety of others 8
Consent given -53 Consent given • 23
50 100 150 200 250 300 100 200 300 400 500
In 2023, of all 2808 RIPA stops, In 2024, of all 3269 RIPA stops, 558 people were searched (19.8%). 532 people were searched (16.2%).
RACIAL AND IDENTITY PROFILING ACT (RIPA)
DURATION OF STOPS
2023 2024
50.0% 50.0%
43.7% 45.2%
45.0% 45.0%
40.0% 40.0%
35.0% 35.0%
30.0% 30.0%
25.0% 22.1% 25.0%
20.0% 20.0% 17.9%
15.0% 13.0% 15.0% 14.6%
10.0% 9.3%. 10.0% 9.6%
8.2%
6.0%
5.0% 3.6% 5.0% 2.9%
09% 14% 09% 0.7%
0.0% 0.0%
1-3 4-8 9-14 15-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51+ 4-8 9-14 15-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51+ MINUTES Minutes
23 RACIAL AND IDENTITY PROFILING ACT (RIPA)
RESULT OF STOPS
2023 2024
Psychiatric hold 0.0% Psychiatric hold 0.0%
Contacted parent/legal guardian 0.0% Contacted parent/legal guardian 0.3% Non criminal or caretaking transport 0.1% Non criminal or caretaking transport |0.1% Field Interview card complete 0.0% Custodial arrest without warrant 7.7% Custodial arrest without warrant 5.5% Custodial arrest pursuant to outstanding [ 1.6% warrant
Custodial arrest pursuant to In-field cite and release
outstanding warrant 1 1.8% 4.6%
In-field cite and release • 3.7% Citation for infraction 11.2% Citation for infraction 23.3% Written Warning 2.9%
Warning 60.1% Verbal Warning 65.5%
No action 19.7% No action 6.1%
0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0% 0.0%10.020.0%0.0%0.0%50.00.0770.0% 24 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
All Sonoma County Law Enforcement Agencies EVACUATION ZONES use "Hi-lo" sirens for emergency evacuations. Hi-
hnert Park
Lo sirens have a distinct European emergency
vehicle sound. When you Hear the Hi-Lo, it's Time
to Go. We will only use Hi-Lo sirens for emergency
Allan AVe
evacuations.
To see which evacuation zone you live in, go to the
City website (www.cotaticity.org) and click on the
Palice nade
6B
Receive notifications by 3B
• Call
• Email
3A 6A
• And more For one-step notifications
Get local news and sier instantly.
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CIVICREADY®
The City of Cotati uses Civic Ready for routine and Ln
emergency public safety alerts. If vou have not
already done so, you may sign up
https://www.cotaticity.org/1526/Get-Alerts-
Notifications
DEA PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKEBACK
The Cotati Police Department hosts Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) prescription drug takeback events. DEA NATIONAL R In 2024 we hosted two drug takebacks; the first was on
April 27, 2024, and the second was on October 26, 2024.
The combined weight of items collected from both was
over 100 pounds. Proper disposal of prescription drugs TAKEBACK makes your home a safer place and it also benefits our
environment. Keeping old medication in the house or
throwing medications away in the garbage may be
dangerous and lead to tragic accidents as they can end up in the mouths of children or household pets. Many
people also flush expired or unused medications down
the toilet or drain, resulting in these drugs ending up in our lakes, streams, and water supplies.
The Cotai Police Department also has a bin in our public access lobby where vou can dispose of prescription pills throughout the year. Please remove pills from their
containers and bag them up so there is plenty of room for all to dispose of their unwanted and expired medications.
Turn in unneeded medication
for safe disposal.
26 SHERMAN BLOCK SUPERVISORY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
(SBSLI)
Cotati Police Sergeant Tyler Wardle is currently attending SBSLI.
Calloria law enocemant protestonal and 5 lance and rains in 565 an in program based on experiential learning techniques. Students are challenged to learn new ways to resolve issues through group and individual work.
During the program, a typical successful student develops the ability to:
•Correlate the relationship between personal and organizational principles and values. •Exercise greater leadership in personal and professional activities. • Increase personal influence with individuals and groups to accomplish organizational goals. •Analyze issues from multiple perspectives.
•Develop increased self-confidence and confidence in the ability of others. •Provide support and development for peers and subordinates. •Recognize and address areas for personal improvement.
•Effectively integrate management skills and leadership qualities.
TRAINING - POST TRAINING
The Cotati Police Department is certified by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST).
Much of POST training is mandated, to include perishable skills.
POST also conducts audits on all certified law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with training and hiring standards. Our police department continues to remain in POST compliance.
Officers and Dispatchers are required to complete 24 hours of Continuing Professional Training (CPT) during the determined training cycle as prescribed by POST. Additionally, full time Officers are required to complete 16 hours (as a part of or in addition to the 24 hours of CPT) of perishable skills training which include:
Arrest and Control
Firearms
Emergency Vehicle Operation Course (EVOC)
Use of Force
Strategic Communication.
Many of the required perishable skills training courses encompass de-escalation training. 28 TRAINING - ADDITIONAL
In addition to required POST Continuing Professional Trainings, the Cotati Police Department routinely trains well beyond POST mandates with our police officers, police dispatchers, and civilian staff.
During 2024, the following additional trainings were attended and completed by Police Officers:
During 2024, the following additional trainings were attended and completed by Police Dispatchers:
Dispatch Communications Training Officer, Dispatch Priming, Dispatch Crisis Intervention, De-escalation Training for Daia for RIPA, RAP Shee Raining Gun Silence Restrading Rer - MicroD pursling, Callers In Crisis, Reporting Stop 29 AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER (ALPR) TECHNOLOGY
Since 2021 the Cotati Police Department has deployed ALPR investigative technology. The police department received funding for the ALPRs through the State Homeland Security Grant totaling approximately $60,000.
The purpose of the ALPRs is to identify lost or stolen vehicles/license plates or to help locate a vehicle involved in various crimes.
When Cotati has utilized ALPR/Flock, it has directly led to the identification and recovery of numerous stolen vehicles within our city. Our officers also use the ALPR system for investigations and for public safety by adding wanted and dangerous vehicles into the system.
In 2022, ALPRs were used 12 times in the successful recovery of stolen vehicles (Flock enabled).
In 2024, ALPRs were used 1 time in the successful recovery of stolen vehicles (Flock disabled).* *Though the department had patrol vehicles outfitted with ALPR technology in 2023, ALPRs were not used due to compatibility issues with the Vigilant system and the in-car computer software from June 2023 - June 2024.
As of July 2024, Axon ALPRs were installed and are being utilized. 30 USE OF FORCE
In 2024, the Cotati Police Department experienced zero (0) URSUS (California Department of Justice Use of Force Incident Reporting database) reportable uses of force.
URSUS CRITERIA
In Cotati, we have adopted a far more expansive and detailed definition of use of force (UOF).
CITY OF COTATI CRITERIA
1. Any display of force (unholstering specific police tools, including electronic devices [Taser], pepper spray, or
2. firearm) of force by a peace officer beyond simple handcuffing In 2024 all UOF incidents were tracked using police record management software system. When a UOF occurs, officers record their incident using a checklist, which lists which officers were present (including mutual aid officers), what tool was used, whether officers or suspects received injuries, and why force was used. When supervisors review the arrest/incident techniques, de-escalation, or training in the future to reduce or avoid the use of force.
USE OF FORCE
2024 CITY OF COTATI CRITERIA
Tool/Technique Used Times Used
Total Events for 2024: 12,610
Baton/Impact Weapon
Events that resulted in arrests: 557 Bean Bag Shotgun Displayed Total events that resulted in arrest: 4.4%
BOLA Wrap
Use of Force instances/events: 35 Control Hold/Defensive Technique Total events that resulted in Use of Force: 0.27% 20
Firearm Displayed 12
Use of Force Breakdown: Firearm Discharged
Although there were 35 UOF instances/events in 2024, several UOF events include the use of multiple tools/techniques, resulting in more K-9 tools/techniques used (total 45) than UOF events (35). Pepper Spray Taser Displayed
ALL 35 USE OF FORCE INSTANCES/EVENTS RESULTED IN Taser Discharged ARREST/CUSTODY. WRAP
TOTAL 45
32 USE OF FORCE DEFINED
Baton/Impact Weapon: An impact tool to overcome resistance on an aggressive, combative, and/or uncooperative subject.
Bean Bag Shotgun: A less-than-lethal tool that projects bean bags from a shotgun platform.
BOLA Wrap: A tool that projects a weighted rope that wraps around and attempts to restrain an uncooperative subject.
Control Hold: Controlling someone who is uncooperative, resisting, aggressive, and/or combative.
Defensive Techniques: Defending oneself against someone who is actively resisting and/or attacking an officer.
Firearm Discharged: Firearm discharged by an officer during an event.
Firearm Displayed: Firearm removed from an officer's holster during an event.
K-9: Police dog used to physically apprehend an uncooperative subject (Cotati PD does not utilize an apprehension K9).
Pepper Spray: Use of an aerosol pepper spray (capsicum) on an uncooperative, resisting, aggressive, and/or combative subject.
Taser Discharged: Darts launched or taser contact (drive-stun) on an uncooperative, resisting, aggressive, and/or combative subject.
Taser Displayed: Taser Removed from holster and displayed at a subject to gain compliance.
WRAP: A safe restraint system designed to protect officers and uncooperative, resisting, and/or combative subjects.
ASSEMBLY BILL 481
This bill requires a law enforcement agency to
obtain approval of the applicable governing
equipment, as defined.
In 2022 the Cotati Citv Council approved an
ordinance to direct our police department on
Equipment. Phe Council approved the use and for Military Boss esotgu of our Command Van and Bean
deployed for any Mutual Aid Vive swas, not
Cotati Police
deployments orthe Bean Bag Shotgun?
NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICER MEETINGS
Cotati Police Officers hosted two Neighborhood
Officer meetings for each of the neighborhood COMMERCE BLVD SOUTHWEST BLVD areas in 2024.
WASIDE CREE
Cotati is comprised of six areas (beats), which are
coincident with evacuation zones. Maps of both
beats and evacuation zones are available for view 116
on the Police page of our City Website. HWY 116
An individual officer is assigned to each of the six E COTATI AVE areas and their phone numbers and emails are
available to citizens and business owners to ask
questions and make requests. Officers rotate
annually to allow them to better learn the areas
and for residents and businesses to better know
our Officers.
We invite vou to attend one of our in-person 1F0101
meetings, typically scheduled in the Spring and
Fall.
DUNHAM
PATROL VEHICLE FLEET
Our Patrol vehicle fleet currently consists of:
2 Tesla Model Y
1 Ford F-150 Lightning
1 Ford Mustang Mach-E
4 Dodge Chargers
POLICE®
PATROL
Our sworn police staff are here 24/7 hours a day to keep our community safe. The list of things that officers do on a daily basis is long, including the following summary of the main efforts our officers do to enhance the quality of life in Cotati.
• Protect life and property through the enforcement of laws & regulations; Proactively patrol assigned areas • Conduct traffic and parking enforcement
• Respond to calls for police service
• Conduct preliminary & follow-up criminal and traffic investigations COTAT,
• Conduct interviews
EST. 1963
• Prepare written reports and field notes of investigations and patrol activities POLICE • Arrest and process those involved in criminal activity • Testify in court
• Emergency duties required during adverse weather conditions • Operate a law enforcement vehicle under emergency conditions day or nig • Analyze legal documents including citations, affidavits, and warrants • Command emergency personnel at accident emergencies and disasters • Community Oriented Policing and community engagement
• Self-initiate traffic and/or criminal investigations
• Supplement animal control
• Perform bar and business checks
37 ANIMAL CONTROL
All of our sworn personnel are designated as animal control officers. Our police officers respond to calls for service regarding both domestic and wild animals. The Administrative Services Department is responsible for dog licensing for our City, using DocuPet in a collaboration with Rohnert Park. Please license your dogs so that we can better serve you and your pet if they get loose or have other issues.
Cotati contracts with Rohnert Park Animal Services for sheltering our animals.
As part of the No More Lost Pets campaign, Rohnert Park Animal Services offers FREE ID tags and microchips for all Rohnert Park and Cotati city residents! 38 DISPATCH
The Cotati Police Department employs six (6) Police
Dispatcher/Clerks.
Our police dispatch is a Public Safety Answering Point
(PSAP) receiving all 911 calls for law enforcement, fire, mental health, and medical emergencies for both the
City of Cotati and the Sonoma State University (SSU)
campus (we have a dispatch contract with SSU Police
Department). In addition to 911 calls-for-service, our
dispatchers answer regular police business calls for our City, SSU, and also dispatch the SAFE team for the City and SSU. Our dispatchers are also clerks who process
39 K9 TEAM
In October of 2023, we acquired K9 Dolly from Scent Evidence K9 in Tallahassee, Florida. She is a purebred bloodhound whose sole purpose is to find missing/lost persons and fleeing suspects. Dolly is the only dog of her breed and purpose in Sonoma County.
In 2024, Dolly was requested 42 times by agencies throughout Sonoma and Marin Counties. She was fully deployed 9 times and had 3 successful finds.
Dolly also tracked other routes used by subjects/suspects, which further assisted agencies in knowing the whereabouts of individuals. When Dolly alerts to finding someone, she howls in excitement for her squeaky toy.
During her time off, Dolly lives at home with her K9 handler Officer Sullivan and his family.
40 CADETS AND VOLUNTEERS
The police department has both Cadets and Volunteers, providing them with an opportunity to assist our department and learn about career opportunities in law enforcement. Our cadets are typically high school students who help with mutual aid for parades and other events in Sonoma County, including the Butter and Eggs Festival, the Apple Blossom Festival, and our own Kids Day Parade and Festival.
Cadets also go on ride-alongs with officers, attend in-house trainings, and take criminal justice field trips police equipment and supplies. Often our cadets and volunteers become police tricers deputy sterit In addition, we assist Sonoma State University Police Department by taking their Student Interns on ride-alongs to allow thom thn annartunitute see how our agenc 41|
COMMUNITY OUTREACH & SOCIAL MEDIA
In 2024, we hosted and participated in over 30 We invite you to follow us on our social media platforms. community events, including but not limited to:
Our police department maintains a public information
• National Night Out at La Plaza Park presence to better engage with our residents and to be • Coffee with a Cop (and K9 Dolly) at Peet's Coffee accessible to our community where they are. In addition • Cotati Kids Day Parade to the colati Cone to new setter we see face bies • Cotati Candy Land at La Plaza Park (now with over 5,800 followers), Instagram (now with • Rohnert Park/Cotati Rotary Toy Drive over 3,100 followers) and Civic Ready for time sensitive • Thomas Page Academy's STEAM and Literacy and emergency information.
Night Our Records Analyst personally created and displayed • Woman in Public Safety Day in Santa Rosa 270 posts on our social media platforms. • Apple Blossom Parade & Festival in Sebastopol
• Future Farmers Twilight Parade in Healdsburg
• Police Station Tours for local schools
• Petaluma Veterans Day Parade
• Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run
POLICE
COMMENDATIO
NS
2024 Cotati Police Officer of the Year
Officer Jerry Cunningham
2024 Cotati Police Employee of the
Year
Records Analyst Michael Callen
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Awards
Officer Jerry Cunningham
Officer Ryan Sullivan
60 total commendations and citizen commendations were
awarded to Cotati Police employees in 2024
2025 SNAPSHOT
• Community-Police Advisory Committee
• Staffing, Recruiting, and Retention: Officer and Dispatcher • Supervision and managerial organization
Emergency preparedness (EOC training)
Enhanced data analytics and records training
• Targeting specific public safety needs: Traffic, pedestrian, and bicycle safety; theft; illicit drugs
• Seek alternate funding streams for public safety (ie: Grants) • Continued emphasis on de-escalation and implicit bias training • Expanding South County SAFE team footprint, as well as crisis intervention and mental health training
• Continued community outreach and participation in community events; social media, website, and public-facing accessibility
COTAT,
EST. 1963
POLICE
44 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
•POLICE
COTATI
COTAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
COTATI POLIC
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