The California Police Department has ended 2017 with more than 1,000 calls for service than in 2016.
According to Chief Mike Ward, in 2016 officers responded to 9,800 calls for service. In 2017, the number was more than 11,000. The calls varied, mostly from the 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatch Center.
Recently, officers responded to calls made because someone heard a shot fired, another of a vehicle pursuit, which began in Eldon and ended in California, and yet another of an injured cat in the street, which needed to be taken to the veterinarian.
Work for the officers never ends, not even in cold and snowy weather. It just becomes a little more involved. When the roads are slick, officers must be more cautious while driving, work to keep the snow routes open and assist those who have been involved in collisions or slide-offs because of the weather elements.
In cold weather, the department must increase the maintenance, as well as frequency of the maintenance, on patrol vehicles in order to keep them operational, when needed.
The department offers a number of services and programs, in addition to what would be considered regular police activities.
One is Project Night Eyes, a random night-time security check of businesses, with a card pushed under the door of the business checked.
There is a MedReturn Drug Collection box for collecting unwanted or unneeded pharmaceuticals.
Another is that of security checks of storage units. Yet another is the vacation checks made by officers.
The City of California Police Department serves the community 24/7 with a full-time staff of the chief, seven officers, three reserve officers and a police clerk. Full-time police officers include Chief Mike Ward, Capt. Dale Embry, Sgt. Kevin Feltrop, Rafael Ayola, Daniel Hurt, Keith Strutton, Tyler Hicks and Jeff Lewis. The police Clerk is Kathy Roll. Reserve officers are Scott Harkins, Lindell Reed and John McNay.
The department is assisted by the 911 Emergency Dispatch Center. The department has seven fully-equipped pursuit vehicles dispatched by radio.
The officers are certified with Peace Officer Standards and Training, which is done by the Missouri Department of Public Safety. They also go through continued law enforcement education.