The Operations Division is the largest in the organization and is responsible for the field services provided to the City of Pomona by uniformed personnel. Specialized units within the Division including the K9 Unit, Traffic Unit, Air Support Unit, SWAT team, Dispatch Services, Bike Patrol, and Office of Emergency Services all augment Patrol Services. The newest unit, added this year, is the School Resource Community Officer program. These units work together in an effort to reduce crime and increase service delivery with the ultimate goal of public safety in a city of an estimated 150,000 people in 24 square miles. Pomona is the fourth largest city by population in the County of Los Angeles.

Patrol Services represent the primary function of the Police Department. This program has the responsibility of protecting life and property as well as maintaining law and order, preserving peace and security in the community, and positively impacting the quality of life for Pomona's residents. Typical responsibilities of Patrol Officers include: "in progress" crimes, responding to calls for service, assisting victims, conducting investigations, identifying and arresting perpetrators of crimes or misconduct, community service, taking crime reports, and testifying in court. In addition to these responsibilities Patrol Services plays a vital role in the Department's commitment to a "Problem Oriented Policing" (POP) philosophy of operation. Each Watch Commander is not only generally responsible for daily service delivery, but has also been assigned direct responsibility for a quadrant of the City and coordination of problem solving in their particular area. These "POP projects" have been at the forefront of the Department's overall commitment to a new direction.

Dispatch Services is the primary answering point for the City's 9-1-1 emergency calls. It is a 24-hour, seven day a week operation that facilitates the delivery of emergency services to the citizens of Pomona. When a service request is received from a citizen or self initiated by an Officer it is the Dispatchers responsibility to classify the priority of the call, determine the response by the Department and to dispatch emergency personnel and equipment to handle each situation. Dispatch Services monitors the status and locations of all field personnel and equipment. The Dispatchers assist field personnel by providing vehicle or suspect want information, monitor officer locations, act as the officers link to victims of in progress crimes, and communicate with field personnel by radio and MDT (Mobile Data Computer). All of the calls for service, 911 calls, and self initiated activity by the officers are tracked in real time by utilizing a CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system. The data collected by the system is then used to determine peak service demand periods and develop appropriate Officer deployment. It is the responsibility of Dispatch Services to determine the type of response necessary for each call received, while maintaining calls for support services as requested. Dispatch Services also provides communication functions for all other city departments after normal business hours.

The Traffic Services Unit consists of nine Motor Officers and four Parking Enforcement Officers. They are specifically responsible for enforcing the State Vehicle Code and the traffic section of the City Code. They regularly conduct special enforcement details focusing on impaired drivers, occupant protection, license verification, and speed compliance. Members of the Traffic Unit receive specialized training in traffic accident investigation and reconstruction, becoming experts in the field. These highly trained individuals make up the MAIT (Major Accident Investigation Team) that is responsible for scientifically determining the cause of fatal and major injury accidents. The Traffic Services Program is also charged with the responsibility of reducing traffic collisions through education and enforcement of the Vehicle Code. Education includes increased awareness of traffic and pedestrian safety through presentations to schools and civic groups. Close contact is maintained with City Traffic Engineering and Cal Trans to solve problems that might contribute to traffic collisions. Additionally traffic collision reports, including hit and run investigations, are reviewed by the Traffic Bureau for prosecution of drivers who cause the collision. Motorcycle officers are used in many traffic control situations due to their superior mobility. Parking Control is responsible for the enforcement of parking regulations in the City. In addition to supervising Traffic and Parking Enforcement, the Senior Parking Enforcement Officer also supervises 38 hourly Crossing Guards assigned to 24 elementary schools to ensure the safety of the students.

NET/GANG/VICE

Their responsibilities include the tracking of street gang activity, contacting individual members and associates of these gangs, and follow up on the investigation of gang-related crimes.

Another duty of the unit is the maintenance of records, which are used by the "Cal-Gangs" state wide gang database. This data is collected from reports, field interviews, and initiating contacts. Gang investigators are also the "experts" for the department in regard to street gangs and testifying in court on gang related matters.

As part of gang investigations, investigators prepare gang association warrants; targeting members of specific gangs that are involved in a particular crime. The Unit also provides assistance to other agencies investigating gang members from the City of Pomona.

The K-9 Unit assigned to the Operations Division is made up of five police patrol dogs trained in handler protection, evidence recovery, SWAT tactics, and locating hidden suspects. One of the dogs is cross-trained for narcotics detection and one dog is cross-trained for bomb detection. The K-9 units are assigned to regular patrol shifts throughout the day and night answering calls for service and taking reports in addition to their K9 duties. The dogs are constantly trained in order to keep their skills sharp and maintain certification by an outside police dog training facility. Part of the units' duties includes presentations to schools, church groups, service clubs, and community organizations.



Major Crimes Task Force

The Major Crimes Task Force is a pro-active enforcement team that investigates crimes such as homicides, robbery, aggravated assaults, and narcotic related offenses. The unit currently consists of one sergeant, one corporal, and seven police officers. The team also gathers intelligence information regarding gang-related activity within the City of Pomona. It is instrumental in enforcing and suppressing street level gang and narcotic activity. The unit is responsible for the apprehension of hundreds of suspects that are involved in this type of illegal activity.

This program provides airborne patrol service in support of ground units by providing aerial observations and information regarding criminal activity and potential suspects at a crime scene. The Aero Bureau deploys one helicopter to assist in apprehending criminals and provide protection to the citizens of Pomona. The Aero Bureau also provides an airborne public address system, emergency lighting for scenes at night, Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) for no light situations, Lojack stolen vehicle locating system, and a movable observation platform which increases the security to Police Officers and the citizens of Pomona. On a time available basis, the helicopter will assist the Narcotics Enforcement Unit with surveillance needs during major operations. The Aero Bureau helicopter is instrumental in high-speed pursuits allowing patrol units to pursue the suspect vehicle at a reasonable distance while the air unit maintains constant visual contact. The Pomona Air Support Unit has been in existence since 1969.

The Office of Emergency Services (OES) provides primary input and is the chief architect of the City's Emergency and Disaster Preparedness plans. Other pertinent functions include continuous OES plan updates as well as liaison and coordination of emergency response services with other departments in the city, neighboring jurisdictions, and relief agencies. The Office of Emergency Services also conducts disaster preparedness training sessions, drills, and exercises for the general public and City employees.

Three Officers have been assigned as School Resource Officers to the Pomona Unified School District (P.U.S.D.). One is assigned to Emerson Middle School as a Truancy Officer and is paid for with P.U.S.D. grant funds. The other two Officers will be assigned to Garey High School and Ganesha High School. They will not only be responsible for the High Schools and the Middle Schools that feed into those High Schools, but will also be assigned to sections of the adjacent neighborhoods to assist directly with community problems. Efforts will be made to expand this program throughout the next fiscal year through additional grant funding.

The Code Compliance Unit is charged with the enforcement of a wide variety of the City's ordinances and municipal codes dealing with health and safety, as well as issues directed at removing blight from the community. The goal is to obtain voluntary compliance from members of the community who are found to be in violation of the City ordinances or municipal codes. It is only through working together with the community that we can improve our neighborhoods and business districts and make positive changes in our City. The Code Compliance Unit is comprised of nine code compliance inspectors, a secretary, and a supervisor. The unit operates seven days a week, with limited staff Friday - Sunday. The unit office is located at 375 S. Main St, Suite 101, Pomona, CA. 91766. Hours 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. seven days a week. Closed Holidays