Police Department

The Police Department provides law enforcement and related public safety services within the community. These services include responding to emergency and non-emergency incidents related to crimes, nuisances, traffic, municipal code violations, animal complaints and various other activities. The Department also maintains documentation on these activities. Being committed to Community Oriented Policing, the Department is also building community programs. Current community programs include Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Activities, Neighborhood Watch, community meetings, a Juvenile Diversion Program, and a Community Patrol Program (CAT).

The Department operates under the direction of the Chief of Police. The Department is divided between operations and support services. The Operations Lieutenant is responsible for all patrol, traffic, community activities, emergency planning and related administrative functions. The Support Services Lieutenant is responsible for Detectives, Property, Dispatch, Records, Internal Affairs, and Primary Department/Administrative Functions.

Chief of Police James Copsey

Department Staff
The Department has an authorized strength of 21 full-time sworn (Peace Officer) personnel supported by ten non-sworn support personnel. Personnel currently include one Chief of Police; two Lieutenants; four Sergeants; two detectives; thirteen Police Officers; four Reserve Officers; two non-sworn Supervisors; six Dispatchers; two part-time Dispatchers; one Property/Evidence Technician; a full-time Administrative Secretary; 20 volunteers in the Citizen Assistance Team (CAT); and two Juvenile Diversion Community Volunteers.

Department Volunteers
The Citizen Assistance Team was formed in 2000 with volunteers who were trained to serve as the "eyes and ears" of the Police Department. CAT volunteers are trained to follow a regular patrol format, including security checks of businesses, parks, schools and the Train Station; doing vacation checks of residences; provide courier service for the City Council; and provide traffic control at special community events or at accident/fire scenes. In December 2003, CAT volunteers were honored at the City Council meeting for the countless hours they have generously donated to the City. To find out additional information, contact Corporal Cheryl Locarnini the Grover Beach Police Department at (805) 473-4501. You can also check out the CAT website at Citizen Assistance Team.

• (805) 473-4596, press "96411"
• when prompted to enter your personal security code, enter "411"
• new Press Release information will automatically come up first, or you can press "6" to hear old messages.

• Merchant Alert During the Holiday Season
• Burglary Prevention Tips
• Neighborhood Watch Tips
• Help Keep Drunk Drivers Off the Road
  
• Keeping Your Children Safe
• Internet Safety Tips for Parents
• Safety Tips for Your Home While Away on Vacation
• Domestic Violence Prevention Tips.
• Back to School Safety Tips as you travel to and from school while riding in a bus, walking and biking, and riding in a car.
• Identity Theft - A 10-minute educational video and steps consumers can take to avoid being a victim (provided by the FTC); Filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
• Child Safety Tips Around Vehicles.

• Bike Patrol -
  Contact Lieutenant John Bewick at (805) 473-4506
• C.A.T. (Citizen Assistance Team)
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Contact Corporal Cheryl Locarnini at (805) 473-4501
• Citizen Complaint Process - Brochure in English or Brochure in Spanish
• Code Enforcement Program -
  Contact the Fire Department at (805) 473-4590 or send an e-mail to CodeEnforcement@grover.org
• Juvenile Diversion Program -
  Contact Lieutenant John Bewick at (805) 473-4506.
• Motorcycle and Traffic Program -
  Contact Officer Mike Hollis at (805) 473-4511
• Neighborhood Watch
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Contact: Sergeant Angelo Limon at (805) 473-4502
• SCAN - Public Safety Warning & Emergency Alert Program - this program is available free-of-charge, but you must sign up!
• Traffic Committee - For issues regarding traffic and parking in Grover Beach, contact Administrative Secretary Laura Vinnedge at (805) 473-4507 or by e-mail at: lvinnedge@gbpd.org

Road Safety During a Rotating Blackout brochure in pdf format. Other Websites With Energy Conservation Information

• Internet: View from your home or local library at www.meganslaw.ca.gov
• Intranet: Contact the Sheriff's Department.
• Telephone: 1-900-448-3000, Please note that a $10.00 fee will be charged when using the 900 phone number.

To review a full copy of the Police Department's most recent Annual Report. For more information, contact the Department's Administration Office at (805) 473-4507 or by e-mail to Administrative Secretary Laura Vinnedge at: lvinnedge@gbpd.org
(*The Department went to a new reporting system in 2006 and this information was not available at the time the Annual Report was published.)

Mission and Values Statement

We, as members of the Grover Beach Police Department, are dedicated to providing the best public safety service which reflects our community's superior quality of life. We are focused on cooperative efforts involving the individual citizen, their neighborhood, and Department members. This is a reflection of our community's endeavor to sustain a sense of safety and security.

We serve to contribute to a wholesome community environment in which individuals may work, play, prosper, raise families, and otherwise pursue their legitimate goals without fear of criminal or civil disorder.

As we focus on our vision and pursue our mission, we pledge the following values as of utmost importance for public service while not excluding other principles:

If you have questions regarding the above information, please contact the Department's Administration Office at (805) 473-4507, the Department's non-emergency phone number at (805) 473-4511, or check the Police Department Contact List for information on other department phone numbers.

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