By Ed Martin, The Leader Editor
Lemoore PD Commander, Margaret Ochoa helps out at the annual Shoe Drive.
Lemoore PD Commander, Margaret Ochoa helps out at the annual Shoe Drive.

What organization in Lemoore has an almost unlimited supply of volunteers just itching to help? What organization helps fund and operate local youth activities and insures that elementary school children have new shoes to wear to school?

And what organization passes out presents during the Christmas season and mentors young people interested in law enforcement through its youth programs. And while we’re at it, what local organization makes sure our streets are safe at night?

Another community program is Coffee with a Cop. Here, Cmdr. Steve Rossi and officers Mark Pescatore and Anthony Braley share a cup with Melissa Harbotte of Starbucks. The program brings together citizens and police.
Another community program is Coffee with a Cop. Here, Cmdr. Steve Rossi and officers Mark Pescatore and Anthony Braley share a cup with Melissa Harbotte of Starbucks. The program brings together citizens and police.

If you guessed the Lemoore Odd Fellows, well, you might consider putting your career as a detective on hold. However, if you guessed the Lemoore Police Department, you just may have the detective skills to find Hitler or that missing gold on the Curse of Oak Island.

The truth be told, Lemoore, over the years, has been blessed by many groups, organizations and individuals – including the Odd Fellows – that have contributed greatly to their fellow citizens. Add the volunteers, officers and staff of the Lemoore Police Department to that impressive roster.

The Lemoore Police Department, in addition to its primary goal of protecting the citizens of Lemoore, recognizes that there is more to effective policing that simply catching crooks and handing out speeding tickets. It’s about the community and getting local law enforcement offers involved, from handing out presents during the holidays to organizing and sponsoring a Police Activities League (PAL).

For all that it does in the community – aside from maintaining law and order – the Lemoore Police Department will be honored by the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce as its “Organization of the Year” at the chamber’s 59th Annual Installation and Awards Banquet, scheduled for Friday, January 20 at the Tachi Hotel and Casino.

“Upon being notified that the Lemoore Police Department had been nominated and was the recipient for the Organization of the Year Award, I was extremely honored,” said Lemoore Police Chief Darrell Smith. “I can’t take any credit for receiving this distinguished recognition but instead give all the credit and recognition to my dedicated personnel who go above and beyond every day to make our community a better place to live and prosper.”

Reason for the Season resulted in hundreds of local youngsters receiving Christmas gifts this past December.
Reason for the Season resulted in hundreds of local youngsters receiving Christmas gifts this past December.

Smith also had kind words for the public’s reaction to all that the local police department does in Lemoore. “I give a tremendous amount of credit to our citizens who have consistently partnered with us in participation and cooperation of the Community Oriented Policing philosophy that we as an organization are committed to.” 

The Lemoore Police Department recognizes the importance of involving the community to help combat crime and increase the quality of police service.  As the partnership develops, the number of community-based programs continues to grow.

Lemoore Mayor Ray Madrigal, a former California Highway Patrol commander, couldn't agree more. "I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of our police department," he said. "It is a total team effort. The culture that has been developed by the leadership is one that is totally committed to a community oriented policing approach."

He added that creating partnerships between the community and the department helps to maintain a "safe and productive environment" in which to live, and after living in Lemoore for much of his life and spending 30 years in the CHP, he can appreciate the department's commitment to the citizens of Lemoore.

Police Department: More than cops and robbers, it's about the community too

The Lemoore Police Department is a dynamic, progressive, and professional organization that is dedicated to maintaining this unique community partnership.  The department is currently approved for 32 sworn positions and 10 paid reserve police officers, and eight non-sworn support positions.

In addition to paid positions, various opportunities exist for community volunteers including Lemoore Police Explorers, Lemoore Police Activities League (PAL), Lemoore Police Department Chaplain’s, and Lemoore Volunteers in Policing.

The department also sponsors the Learning for Life Explorer Program.  This co-ed, career based volunteer program is for local students between the ages of 14-21.  The program provides young adults the chance to learn about law enforcement through training opportunities and interaction with law enforcement professionals. 

The department is very excited about its newly formed Police Activities League (PAL) which became operational in July of 2015.  The program is aimed at reaching out to at-risk kids between the ages of five and 18, providing them with direction.  The program helps them make quality choices to become responsible citizens.  The program also builds relationships between police officers and youth.

One of the department’s long standing programs is Volunteers in Policing (VIPs), implemented in 1997. Graduates of the department’s Citizen Academy volunteer hours to make patrol checks, to do clerical work, work radar, finger printing and other tasks as required.  Since its inception, VIP’S have donated over 80,000 hours of service.

The patrol division responds to calls for assistance, acts as a deterrent to crime, enforces state and local laws and responds to emergency and non-emergency requests 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) is a collaborative effort between criminal justice partners, public entities and the community to address crime or acts of disorder. The availability of social media has made it possible for not only our community but also those who live outside of Lemoore to stay connected with our Police Department.

“The community involvement and the spirit of volunteerism in our community is worthy of recognition and we as a police department are grateful for the relationships that we have forged with our partners throughout the years,” said Smith.  “Non-enforcement community engagement activities make a huge contribution to building and maintaining lasting relationships and community trust.  The fact that an officer goes out of his or her way to participate in something that is important to the citizens we serve shows that the officer really cares about the members of our community, not just about enforcing laws.  I am very proud of my sworn, non-sworn, and volunteers of the Lemoore Police Department.”

Information about local law enforcement can be seen on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ LemoorePoliceDepartment and on twitter @lemoore_pd, and Instagram LemoorePD.