Community Policing
COFFEE WITH A COP
Coffee with a Cop is an international program that began in 2011 with the goal to build relationships and improve trust one cup at a time. These opportunities are scheduled with a local coffee shop or local mobile vendor to bring the community and Police Department staff together over coffee to discuss interests, concerns, and insight related to public safety matters in the Town of Los Gatos and City of Monte Sereno. These interactions are invaluable as it provides a moment to build community – police partnerships focused on mutual goals of preventing crime, educational exchanges, and ability to become more familiar with the values of the Police Department and the community we serve over a cup of coffee.
THERAPY K9S
The Therapy Canine Program includes two golden labradoodles, Gary and JJ. One handler is assigned currently to the Detective Division and the other is a Communications Dispatcher, so that a trained Therapy Canine is assigned to each police building and to a sworn and professional staff member. The purpose of the Therapy Canine Program is to promote wellness within the Department, assist in the response and treatment of trauma and mental health, and to provide community outreach and engagement by providing well-trained dogs as a medium in those efforts.
The Therapy Canine’s will be incorporated at different community events and will soon complete their Therapy Canine certification.
COMMUNITY POLICE ACADEMY
The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department is proud to offer its Community Police Academy in Fall 2023 to the residents of the Town of Los Gatos and City of Monte Sereno. A major goal of the Community Police Academy is to increase education and understanding between our community members and the Police Department, and to enhance the strong relationships we have with the community. Topics covered include patrol operations, laws of arrest, investigations, records processing, traffic law, communications, defensive tactics and de-escalation, supportive resources and much more.
Students will participate in informative classroom-style presentations as well as practical demonstrations with a variety of Police Department Personnel.
Prospective participants must:
- Reside in the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department jurisdiction
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have no felony convictions, outstanding warrants, or pending criminal cases
- All participants must not miss more than three hours of the Academy.
Eligibility for attendance is at the sole discretion of the Police Department. Click here to access a fillable application.
WALK WITH A COP
Walk with a Cop is modeled after similar nationwide programs and events that have a purpose of coming together in non-crisis situations and going for a walk and learning from each other. By walking through a neighborhood with community members, an officer can truly see the neighborhoods and business districts they protect and serve through the eyes and experiences of the community. Walk with a Cop breaks down barriers and being able to “see” each other by both understanding each other’s perspectives that are that person’s reality and to know each other first as human beings. This is a chance to “walk the walk” of LGMSPD community policing. Walk with a Cop applies the community policing concept that works to drive down and prevent crime through frequent presence and familiarity with the environment and people the officers serve and protect.
This program allows for a community member to meet a uniformed officer in their neighborhood, a commercial business area, or at the Civic Center and walk for an hour. This program will extend through Fall of 2022. Fillable sign-up forms for the program can be accessed here. Interested Los Gatos or Monte Sereno community members can expect to be contacted within two weeks of completing the form and the dress attire and clearance process is further explained online. Walk with a Cop is on a first come basis and is dependent on weather and staffing availability. Interested individuals will list on the fillable form the days of the week and timeframe that best suits their availability.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Law enforcement personnel spend most of their career reacting to criminal acts, but the desire to better the lives of their community can be realized through supporting the Special Olympics. The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police volunteers countless hours to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics through events such as the Torch Run, the Polar Plunge, an upcoming Silicon Valley Bocce Bash and other fundraising efforts that occur throughout the year. The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This gives them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.