FORT BRAGG
POLICE DEPARTMENT
ANNUAL REPORT
PROLICE OMPASSION
*
CONCERN COURAGE
*
1889
2024
Chief Neil J. Cervenka
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chief's Message 2
Organizational Chart 3
2024 Statistics 5
Patrol Division 9
Professional Standards & Training 10
Administration 11
Social Media 12
Care Response Unit (CRU) 13
Fentanyl Task Force 14
New Personnel & Promotions 15
Retirements 16
Community Involvement 17
Awards 18
MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF
I am pleased to share all the excitement that
happened in 2024. We continue to grow our ranks
and end the "training ground" reputation. Fort Bragg
Police Department is fast becoming a place to come
and stay. Thanks to the work of City Manager
Whippy, the police officers' association negotiated
the largest pay raise in anyone's memory. This brings
our officers on equal footing with surrounding law
enforcement agencies and reduces desires to
transfer somewhere with higher pay.
Organizational wellness is also a top city priority, providing free memberships to the CV Starr Center, Public Safety Mind Health Checkups, and employee recognition to name a few. Creating a culture which values employees and their work is crucial to the stability of any organization.
We have continued our commitment to advanced training, sending officers to schools around the state. Fort Bragg PD now far exceeds the state minimums for annual training requirements. This also provides our community with a highly skilled, professional police force to provide the level and quality of service they deserve.
Fort Bragg Police Department continues to be at the forefront in several areas. Our EV Patrol Truck program gained national attention, being reported on in the New York Post and News Nation Now. In addition to media sources, Ford Motor Company used Fort Bragg Police Department as a model agency for conversion to EV patrol cars in their national marketing campaigns.
The Care Response Unit continues to flourish and prove The Fort Bragg Model works. Comparing 2019 to 2024, arrests of homeless persons has plummeted 75%. The change in our city is recognized by all. When visitors come to Fort Bragg, they notice the difference. Our model focuses on ego development, drug rehabilitation, mental health and housing placement.
Thank you for taking the time to read this annual report and see all we have accomplished, together!
Neif Carenka
2 FORT BRAGG POLICE DEPARTMENT
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART 2024
CHIEN
FORT BRAGG POLICE
CHIEF
FORT BRAGG FORT BRACE FORT BRACE
POLICE POLICE POLICE
COMPASSION COMPASSION COMPASSION
FORT BRAGG POLICE
***
1889 1889 1889
CAPTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIAL
EVIDENCE RECORDS INVESTIGATOR
SERGEANT SERGEANT SERGEANT SERGEANT
FORT BRAGG POLICE FORT BRAGG POLICE FORT BRAGG POLICE FORT BRAGG POLICE FORT BRAG OLICE ** ** * ***
CR
LEAD SOCIAL
SERGEANT SERGEANT SERGEANT SERGEANT SERVICES LIAISON SCHOOL RESOURCE
OFFICER
SIER OFFER ОТСЬ ОПРОС
FORT BRAGG POLICE FORT BRAGG POLICE FORT BRAGG POLICE FORT BRACG POLICE / *
CR
SOCIAL SERVICES
OFFICER OFFICER OFFICER OFFICER LIAISON
RACE OFFICER SACE OFFICER SACE OFFER
FORT BRAGG POLICE FORT BRAGG POLICE FORT BRAGG POLICE FORT BRAGG POLICE * CR
SOCIAL SERVICES
OFFICER OFFICER OFFICER OFFICER LIAISON
OICE OFFER SIE ОПРОТ SACE OF E
FORT BRACG POLICE FORT BRAGG POLICE FORT BRAGG POLICE FORT BRAGG POLICE *
OFFICER TRANSPORT OFFICER TRANSPORT
3 -013
2024 AT A GLANCE
15,236
CALLS FOR SERVICE
26 3,519
FIREARMS SEIZED INFORMATION CASES
8.7 8
POUNDS OF ILLEGAL DUI COLLISONS
DRUGS SEIZED
106
1,166
TRAFFIC
CRIME CASES TAKEN COLLISIONS
1,219 2,718
LIVESCAN ITEMS OF PROPERTY
FINGERPRINTS PROCESSED
315 514
CITATIONS ARRESTS AND
ISSUED BOOKINGS
5 2024 AT A GLANCE
THEFT VEHICLE THEFT
124 16
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ROBBERY
26 5
ASSAULT DUI
95 91
BURGLARY
RAPE/ATTEMPTED
27 8
OVER THE YEARS
2020 - 2024
RAPE /ATTEMPTED ROBBERY
2020 5 2020 9
2021 8 2021 11
2022 4 2022 12
2023 9 2023 10
2024 8 2024
5 2 4 6 8 10 2 4 6 8 10 12
ASSAULT BURGLARY
2020 123 2020 42
2021 123 2021 41
2022 2022
100 32
2023 72 2023 29
2024 2024
95 27
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 10 20 30 40 50
7 OVER THE YEARS
2020 - 2024
THEFT VEHICLE THEFT
2020 267 2020 14
2021 2021 18
228
2022 2022
206 18
2023 161 2023
22 2024 2024
124 16
50 100 150 200 250 300 5 10 15 20 25
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DUI
2020 6 2020 24
2021 8 2021 41
2022 14 2022 159
2023 17 2023 78
2024 26 2024 91
5 10 15 20 25 30 50 100 150 200
8 PATROL DIVISION
Captain Thomas O'Neal
The Patrol Division consists of sixteen sworn
officers who respond to emergency and non-
emergency calls 24 hours a day. When fully
staffed, the city is patrolled by two officers and
one sergeant at all times. The Patrol Division is
managed by Captain Thomas O'Neal who also
manages several of the Department's other
programs.
Due to the small size of our Department, our Patrol staff does not have many of the specialized, dedicated assignments common in other agencies such as Traffic Enforcement, Criminal Street Gangs, Detectives, and Homeless Outreach Teams. Instead, our officers receive a variety of training to ensure they are able to handle all calls for service and investigations effectively and above standard. Having a small, dedicated team allows our Patrol Division to quickly make changes to procedures and training in order to improve our delivery of service. From animal control, to driving under the influence investigations, to complex drug sales cases, all of our officers are trained to provide top-level service, regardless of the community need. Despite continuing to operate with approximately 75% of our authorized staffing throughout 2024, the Patrol Division continues to ensure that our community receives the public service and level of public safety they deserve.
This year, our department had one officer return to the School Resource Officer program. This position has been intermittently filled over the last decade and is reliant on external funding, staffing, and cooperation from the Fort Bragg Unified School District. We are proud to report that during the first few months of the school year our School Resource Officer had hundreds of positive contacts with students while supporting a safe environment where our children can learn and thrive.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS &
TRAINING
Special Investigator
Wes Rafanan
Administrative Investigations: 2
PD Background Investigations: 7
City Background Investigations: 6
Cold Case Investigations: 2
Missing Persons Investigations: 4
TRAINING
POST mandated: 302 hours
Perishable Skills Training: 180 hours Traffic Collision Investigation, FBPD Core Course Training: 640 hours••» Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST), Crisis Intervention, Interview &
Instructor Course Trainings: 408 hours Interrogation, RADAR, LIDAR, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driver Evaluation
Department Trainings: 72 hours
(ARIDE)
Specialty Trainings: 344 hours
Leadership Development for Supervisors, Women
Leaders in Law Enforcement, POST Command College,
Gang Investigations, Mass Casualty Incidents
Total Training: 1,626 hours
Training Reimbursed by POST:
1,008 hours
10 ADMINISTRATION
The Administrative Office consists of two full-time, non-sworn employees who oversee Records and Evidence, in addition to their other administrative responsibilities.
Lesley Bryant Laura Godinez.
Administrative Analyst Administrative Assistant
Records Manager Property & Evidence Technician
The Administrative Analyst serves as the The Administrative Assistant is Custodian of Records for the Police responsible for overseeing the Property Department, overseeing all record- and Evidence Room, ensuring that all keeping functions. In addition, they arrestee property, found property, and manage Human Resources operations evidence are properly documented and within the department and coordinate securely stored. Once ownership is Human Services functions with the City verified, property or evidence is released of Fort Bragg. The Analyst also acts as upon completion of the required the primary point of contact with the documentation. Certain items, including Department of Justice for Sex Offender firearms, necessitate approval from the and Arson Registrants, coordinates Department of Justice prior to release. state and federal crime report filings, The Property Technician ensures that all and administers employee training and legal and procedural requirements are security updates related to access to meticulously followed before the release Department of Justice systems. of such items.
The Records Department oversees the submission of reports to the District Attorney's Office and serves as a key liaison to various county agencies, including Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, Probation, and Parole.
11 SOCIAL MEDIA
**MEDIA RELEASE** Helmets Available
Positive Impact on law Enforcement
INCREASED TRANSPARENCY
Provide real-time updates on investigations, public safety threats, and community events.
Verbal Altercation Leads to Seizure
of Loaded Firearm
09/20/2024
FASTER CRIME RESOLUTIONS
FORT BRAGG PD
MONTHLY STATS Sharing surveillance footage and asking for tips, police can Month of October, quickly get leads from the public increasing the ability to CALLS FOR SERVICE: 856 solve cases faster.
REPORTS TAKEN: 69 TORE BRACE ROAD SAFETY
TRAFFIC STOPS: 169 POLICE INFORMATION
ARRESTS COOTICE! COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
ASSAULTS: 61
THEFTS: 17F Allows police to interact directly with the public, answer DUls: 13
ASSAULTS W/ A FIREARM: 1 questions, and share important safety information.
1.3M PUBLIC AWARENESS
The ability to educate the public on issues like drug
TOTAL prevention and assistance, domestic violence, traffic safety, VIEWS and more.
51.9K
7K CONTENT
INTERACTIONS REAL-TIME COMMUNICATION
FOLLOWS In emergencies, such as natural disasters, social media provided immediate updates, guiding the community on
safety measures.
**MEDIA RELEASE** FOIND
ORT BRAGG Coffee Breat
•OLIC
Fort Bragg Police Officer Pulls
Man From House Fire
10/25/2024
POLICE
1889
60.4K
**MEDIA RELEASE**
TOTAL
VIEWS 1.3K
Social Media Team CONTENT
INTERACTIONS
1,064
Social media has made law Traffic Stop Leads to Seizure of
FOLLOWS
enforcement more accessible, Two Pounds of Methamphetamine 10/28/2024
transparent, and effective, REPRICE
creating safer and more
informed communities. 12 @fortbraggpolice
CARE RESPONSE UNIT
community outreach
CR
Extreme Weather Shelter The Care Response Unit (CRU) provides officers with an essential tool in assisting individuals with mental health, 20 substance use disorder, and homelessness, reducing the need for law enforcement contact. CRU also provides
15 mobile outreach services tailored to individuals who often have barriers to accessing community resources.
10 CRU provided vital supportive services to individuals incarcerated in Mendocino County Jail who were dealing with 5 mental health and substance use disorders, issues that often 9 19 17 resulted in frequent law enforcement interactions and arrests. 14 Through close collaboration with Mendocino County Probation and the local District Attorney, CRU facilitated opportunities 12/2023 01/2024 02/2024 03/2024
for these individuals to serve their sentences in residential Number of nights open throughout the 2023-2024 treatment facilities rather than in jail. This approach enabled season. Shelter provided to unhoused individuals them to address the underlying barriers to their well-being. during extreme weather conditions when the local Upon successful reintegration into the community, CRU homeless shelter is at capacity. continued to offer ongoing support. As a result, these individuals have shown a significant reduction in law
59 enforcement contact, highlighting the effectiveness of this alternative approach.
Total Nights
Open
HOW CAN WE
HELP? 1,350
Services Provided
Qtr1 Ort 3 Ort 4 Total
CRU successfully assisted an individual experiencing Services 253
homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use
disorder, and significant barriers due to criminal charges. 289 These criminal charges had limited the person's access to Number of individual contacts housing and treatment services. With CRU's support, they 304 were able to navigate these obstacles and secure a spot at a substance use treatment center that accepts clients 504 with criminal histories. This intervention allowed the
100 200 300 400 500 600
individual to begin receiving the treatment and support they needed, highlighting CRU's crucial role in breaking down barriers to care.
24 Mobile
Outreach
Individuals
into Rehab
13 PROJECT RIGHT NOW & FENTANYL TASK FORCE
Empower Agencies. Educate Conmunities. Enhance Care.
The Fentanyl Task Force is dedicated to combating the fentanyl crisis through a collaborative and holistic approach. We empower agencies by fostering partnerships and sharing resources, educate communities to raise awareness and promote prevention, and enhance personal care by supporting comprehensive treatment and recovery services. Our mission is to reduce the impact of fentanyl on individuals and our community by uniting efforts, advancing knowledge, and delivering compassionate, evidence-based solutions.
NARCAN (NALOXONE), OPIOIDS, &
FENTANYL TASK FORCE OVERDOSES
TE DEE
•PROJECT •
2024 OVERDOSES
Fort Bragg City Limits Mendocino County Total
Fatal
20 17 17
15 15 NALON KABL
12 12
10 10
5 2 2 2
January February March VInO August September October November December Information collected and released by Fort Bragg Police Department using Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP) and FBPD calls for service. Mendocino County statistics using only ODMAP data.
NARCAN DISTRIBUTED 822 UNITS
Fort Bragg High School Homecoming Noyo High School
New Years Eve outreach table Harvest Market
National Night Out Milano Bar
Fort Bragg High School Coaches Welcome Inn
City of Fort Bragg Staff Golden West
Harbor Fest
Noyo River Grill
Parents & Friends Staff
Mendocino High School Homecoming Mendocino High School
Mendocino College Fort Bragg High School Lunch
14 e peace and
principles of
Ibute to the
NEW FACES IN 2024
jion, to con-
helpfulness.
FORI BE
Gadge Farris Mellisa Johnson
Police Officer Social Services Liaison
February 2024 July 2024
Keyona Slaughter Amanda Pacheco
Police Recruit Police Officer
September 2024 December 2024
15 RETIRED IN 2024
19 Years of
Dedicated
Service!
HOT BRAGG
POLICE
OSPASSION
1889 Officer
Oscar Lopez
FORT BRACE
Officer POLICE
COMPASSION
*
Oscar
CONCERN COURAGE
Lopez April 11, 2005 1889 May 14,2024
16 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
LAW ENFORCEMENT
TORCH RUN® WALK BIKE & ROLL
FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS
TO SCHOOL
MATSON OCEAN VIEW LODGE eat fresh:
23 READ
ROS A NIGHT OUTA
AMERICAN
CERVENKA
SERRIS BEAK
Special
Olympics
12 Days of Christmas
Police Activities
2024
League Fishing Back to School
POLAR
PLUNGE. Resource Fair
Clinic
17 2024 ANNUAL AWARDS
Officer of the Year Professional Staff
of the Year Award of Excellence
TYLER BAKER LAURA GODINEZI WESLEY RAFANAN
Distinguished Service Chief's Award
ANTHONY WELTER PADRAIC FERRIS
DAVID FRANCO COLIN MCHUGH
Chief's Award
DISTINGUISHEL
GERVICE
JAROD FRANK
ION MCLAUGHLIN
HANNAH NANEZ
JANETTE ORNELAS
18 sInce 188
FORT BRAGG POLICE DEPARTMENT
MISSION STATEMENT
The Fort Bragg Police Department will show concern
for our community, have compassion for all those we
serve, and exemplify courage to do the right thing.
MOTTO
Concern, Compassion, Courage
FORT BRAGG POLICE
FORT BRAGG
POLICE
COMPASSION
CALIFORIITE COURA
1889