Operations

The Operations Division is comprised of those activities that are directly related to field enforcement. In addition to the patrol function, this division encompasses:

  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Field Training Program
  • Reserve Officer Program
  • Traffic Bureau
  • Mobile Command Post

Patrol

The primary responsibility of the Patrol Bureau is to ensure the safety and security of the community. Combining traditional enforcement with creative problem solving strategies, the Patrol Bureau responds to calls for service, as our motto states, "Every Hour, Every Day." As the most visible representatives of the Police Department, Patrol Officers make customer service a priority while preventing crime, enforcing laws, and apprehending criminals. With an average response time to emergency calls of less than 3 minutes, the Department is among the quickest, if not the quickest in the county.

Managing resources to maximize efficiency, ensuring officer safety and providing the best professional customer service possible are the cornerstones of the Department's effective service. The Department collaborates with Seal Beach and Cypress to ensure an exceptional response to high risk incidents. Sharing a common radio frequency and mapped command boards allow the watch commanders of all three cities to assess available resources for critical incidents.

Training

Training of new officers and ongoing professional training and development is overseen by the Operations Captain and Training Manager.

School Resource Officer

A School Resource Officer (SRO) Officer is assigned to Los Alamitos High School. The SRO offers a consistent presence and unique ability to solve interpersonal high school issues using positive, pro-active methods, often mitigating situations before they evolve into problems.

Traffic

Although the City of Los Alamitos is only 4.3 square miles, it encompasses more than 29 miles of roadway. The main arterial roadways carry a volume of traffic that averages more than 170,000 vehicles per day through the City. The intersection of Los Alamitos Boulevard and Katella Avenue is one of the busiest in Orange County. With a population of approximately 12,000, the majority of this is commuter traffic. A comprehensive traffic program is overseen by a sergeant. Integrating public safety campaigns with directed enforcement, the Department is effective in mitigating many traffic issues.

Routine traffic enforcement is provided by police officers assigned to patrol. The Traffic Bureau is responsible for enforcing traffic laws, investigating collisions and educating the community about traffic safety. Although minor collision investigations are handled by patrol officers, major and fatal collision investigations are conducted by specially trained members of the interagency Serious Traffic Accident Response (STAR) Team. Parking Control and Red Light Photo Enforcement are also part of the Traffic Bureau.

Emergency Preparation

All Hazards and Disaster Preparation is overseen by the Operations Division and the Emergency Services Coordinator.