City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: AUGUST 6, 2024 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S OVERVIEW AND RECOGNITION ISSUE:
Receive an overview of the Police Department and recognize the Department’s employees.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receive and file the report.
BACKGROUND:
The mission of the Riverside Police Department (RPD) is to provide a strong partnership between law enforcement and the community, focused on public safety that provides quality, responsive and effective services through valued employees. The RPD is a highly valued, positive force in the community, providing effective safety and emergency response services, as well as proactive community programs and educational activities. The Department plays an important role in protecting residents and businesses from criminal activity and helping to educate the public about ways to reduce criminal activity.
Two deputy chiefs assist the Chief of Police with the day-to-day functions. The Deputy Chief of Administration provides oversight of the Administrative Services, Budget, Support Services, and Internal Affairs divisions. The Deputy Chief of Operations provides oversight of Field Operations, Investigations, and Special Operations divisions.
The RPD Command Staff consists of four (4) Captains, one (1) Police Administrator and one (1) Lieutenant acting as the Chief’s Adjutant. This core team supports the Chief of Police and the two (2) Deputy Chiefs and assists them in fulfilling the Department’s mission.
The Department would also like to recognize its outstanding employees. The 2023 RPD Employees of the year are Administrative Analyst Darlene Ramirez and Police Detective Christi Arnold.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The Police Department primarily contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal No. 2.4 – Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust and Goal No. 2.5 – Foster relationships between community members, partner organizations, and public safety professionals to define, prioritize, and address community safety and social service needs.
This item aligns with EACH of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The Riverside Police Department is dedicated to improving quality of life by creating a safe environment in partnership with the people it serves. The Department makes decisions based on sound policy that serve the public interest, benefit the City’s diverse populations, and result in greater public good.
Equity – The Riverside Police Department provides public safety services to all residents in the City of Riverside and is committed to the equitable distribution of services to ensure every member of the community has equal access to share in the benefits of community progress.
Fiscal Responsibility – The Riverside Police Department is a prudent steward of public funds and ensures responsible management of the City’s financial resources while providing quality public services to all.
Innovation – The Riverside Police Department must constantly change and adapt to meet the community’s changing needs and prepare for the future. The Department continually develops collaborative partnerships and adaptive processes.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Regularly assessing the Riverside Police Departments services, making changes as needed and utilizing valuable partnerships with other agencies allows the Department to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future and ensures the City’s capacity to preserves, adapt and grow.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report
Prepared by: Brandi Becker, Police Administrator
Approved by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Presentation
PD 2024 Dept Overview and Employee RecognitionhPage 5