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Welcome
to the
Laguna Beach Police Department
Web Site |
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The members of the department are
dedicated to serving the community and providing the highest level of
service possible. In the furtherance of that philosophy, the
members of the department are dedicated to working closely with the
public in an effort to solve issues and problems and to follow the
principles of community oriented policing. |
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Launching the Community Outreach Officer Program!
The department's partnership with the community often means finding
solutions to problems especially when those community members are homeless.
In keeping to this philosophy, the Laguna Beach Police Department has worked
closely with the Laguna Beach City Council to create the position of
Community Outreach Officer. The new position has been established to
directly respond to the community’s concerns regarding homeless-related
issues.Officer Jason Farris will serve as the Community Outreach Officer.
Officer Farris has served as a Laguna Beach Police Officer for 3-1/2 years.
Jason's interpersonal skills, patience, and perseverance have established
him as an obvious choice for this assignment. |
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Officer Farris works closely with various social
service agencies in an effort to place homeless individuals in short-term
shelters and long-term housing. In addition, he works with agencies to
provide for the basic needs to help end the cycle of homelessness with this
unique group of people. |
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With the creation of the program, the Police Department
recognized the need to take a two-pronged approach to impacting the plight
of the homelessness in the city. Besides utilizing the traditional law
enforcement approach, the police department took the unique path of
participating in social service efforts as well.
The overall goals of the program include ending the
cycle for many of the homeless as well as improving the quality of life for
the residents, property and business owners in the community.
In addition to working with the homeless, the Community Outreach Officer
works with the Chamber of Commerce, the Exchange Club, Women’s Club, Rotary
Club, and any other group that has concerns regarding law enforcement.
Officer Farris can be reached at
outreach@lagunabeachcity.net |
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Keeping the Ranks Filled Due to retirements,
departures to other departments and promotions, our Police Department has
experienced a few holes in our ranks during the past twenty-four months.
This past year though, we have fought back to bring the department back to
full strength.
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Our latest recruits, John Coutchie and Kevin Meadows started their journey
as police officers on September 22nd during a two week academy orientation
class. On October 6 they experienced their first day of the Police
Academy at Golden West College. Seen here performing a character
building exercise, they are guided and encouraged by one of the Academy
Recruit Training Officers, Jim Cota. |
| Corporal Cota is a full time officer with Laguna Beach and
moonlights at the academy while keeping an eye on our newly hired officers.
As in this case, it is not always a good thing to be from the same
department as one of the Academy Staff! |
| Our latest academy graduate, Jason Gurka, spent almost six months in the Golden
West Police Academy where he graduated from class 135 on July 25. Jason has a degree in
Sports Management and served as Co-Director for the
Junior Seau Foundation in San
Diego. Jason must now begin a twenty-two week field training program
with up to six different experienced officers. |
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In addition to Officer Gurka,
two other officers were added to the force
in August. Rebecca Gallegos and William Downing participated in being sworn
in and having their badges pinned on August 7th. Police Officers must
take an oath to uphold the law and support the state and federal
constitutions. Officer
Gallegos served 4-1/2 years with the Los Angeles Police Department.
She has a Bachelors degree from University of California Santa Barbara in
Law and Society. |
Officer Downing served eighteen months as an Orange County Sheriff's Deputy
and previously, twenty-two years in the United States Marine Corp. He
is a veteran of the Iraq war.
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Police Officer and Dispatcher Openings
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Recruit Officer Testing Coming Soon
Contact the Department Personnel Officer, Greg Walloch, at 949 497-0374
for more information. |
Lateral Officer Openings
Top step officers earn $84,084 and can earn up to 7.5%
additional pay for a total of $90,600!
One third of officers are
corporals topping at $94,954. A bachelors is 5% or an AA is 2.5%.
With a degree and exceptional performance pay, corporals earn up to
$102,230! |
Apply
Online for Laguna Beach Job Openings
Employees will receive an additional 5% on 7/1/09 |
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Laguna Beach Police
Department
505 Forest Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949 497-0701
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