Support services division
Investigations
Covina Police Department Investigations, commonly referred to as the Detective Bureau, is comprised of 6 full-time investigators, 2 Community Impact Team (CIT) Detectives, 2 detectives assigned to regional task forces, a part-time Youth Accountability Board specialist, a part-time planner, and is led by two sergeants.
Some cases are initiated by detective personnel; however more commonly, detectives follow up investigations initiated by the Patrol Division and work these cases to a conclusion. Detectives often write search warrants and handle volumes of evidence in the course of their duties. Detectives are also responsible for presenting cases to the Los Angeles County District Attorney for filing considerations and following these cases through the justice system to their conclusion. Additionally, detectives work with other municipal, county, state and federal agencies to accomplish their investigative goals.
Cases assigned to Covina Police Department detectives are generally divided into two categories; crimes against persons or crimes against property. The Sergeant is responsible for assigning cases to a specific investigator who is then responsible for handling the case to conclusion. Cases lacking investigative leads or where victims are not interested in prosecution are often suspended or closed. Cases with identified suspect(s), witnesses and victims interested in prosecution are presented to the District Attorney’s office for filing considerations.
The Youth Accountability Board (YAB) is an informal diversion program offered by the Covina Police Department to juvenile residents of Covina and/or students attending a school located in the City of Covina who have committed their first minor offense. The goal of the program is to establish a diversion program that provides a reasonable alternative to prosecution while allowing for first time offenders to reestablish a sense of community values and personal responsibility for their actions.
CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY
The Economic Crimes Detective investigates identity theft, fraud, forgery, counterfeiting and embezzlement cases. The Crimes Against Property Detective investigates thefts, grand thefts, burglaries and vandalism.
CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS
The General Crimes Detective investigates the majority of domestic violence cases, as well as missing person cases and court order violation cases. The Sex Crimes / Juvenile Detective investigates crimes of a sexual nature and matters involving juvenile victims and/or suspects. The Crimes Persons Detective investigates crimes of violence, such as weapons violations, battery, assaults with deadly weapons, domestic violence, murders and attempted murders.
COMMUNITY IMPACT TEAM
The focus of the Community Impact Team is to address high-level crime problems, investigate gang and narcotics problems, address community nuisance and quality of life situations, reduce continual responses to high calls for service areas and actively track down wanted offenders through innovative and sustained efforts. CIT takes a proactive approach to preventing, reducing and solving crime.
TASKFORCE DETECTIVES
Regional collaboration is a key element of our policing strategy. In 2020, Covina PD applied for and received a grant focused on impacting violent crime. This grant has funded two task force positions with the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Taskforce (LA IMPACT). Each position provides opportunities for Covina PD to contribute to regional crime issues and provides additional resources when needed.
YOUTH ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD
The Youth Accountability Board (YAB) is an informal diversion program offered by the Covina Police Department to juvenile residents of Covina and/or students attending a school located in the City of Covina who have committed their first minor offense. The goal of the program is to establish a diversion program that provides a reasonable alternative to prosecution while allowing first-time offenders to re-establish a sense of community values and personal responsibility for their actions.
Planning
Click to view and download entertainment and private security permits.
LA Impact
The Covina Police Department is a member of the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force (LA Impact). LA Impact began in 1991, and was the brainchild of the Los Angeles County Police Chief’s Association and consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles County. LA Impact focuses on investigating major crimes with an emphasis on drug enforcement however also addresses subjects involved in burglaries, robberies and other serious offenses. LA Impact is designed to bring federal, state and local law enforcement under “one roof” to address common problems that cross jurisdiction boundaries. LA Impact is a vital resource to the Covina Police Department.
Professional Standards
The professional standards unit is responsible for ensuring integrity is maintained through a system of investigation, training, and discipline. The professional standards sergeant is assigned to Police Administration and investigates most personnel complaints and also acts as the training coordinator for the Department. The primary responsibility of the Training Unit is to ensure that all employees, both sworn and civilian, are trained to meet the mandated requirements as set forth by federal, state, and local laws. To meet these requirements, the Training Unit must schedule personnel to attend training classes throughout the State of California as well as host in-house training using departmental certified instructors who are subject matter experts in their area of expertise. Some of these areas include firearms, arrest and control tactics, first aid, field training, and tactical unit operations.
Records
Records is the central repository for the Covina Police Department, responsible for the preservation and dissemination of official police reports and related records. State and Federal laws regulate the release of law enforcement data. Requests for other public information within the police department are also processed through the Records Unit. Records is comprised of 6 full-time Police Records Clerks, 3 part-time Police Records Clerks, and led by a supervisor.
Subpoenas for records should be served to the City Clerk, located at 125 East College Street, Covina, CA 91723. The exact amount due will be determined prior to the production of documents. However, please attach a check (minimum amount $15.00) to the subpoena upon delivery. Please contact the Covina City Clerk’s Office at 626.384.5430 for further information.
Subpoenas for Police Department personnel appearances should be served to the Watch Commander at the police department and require a $275.00 payment at the time of service. Civil subpoenas require 15 days between the date of service and actual appearance, as required, to allow for adequate notification. Subpoenas are served during normal business hours.
Our office can be contacted at 626.384.5656. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm and Saturday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. We are closed on government holidays.
Communications
The Covina Police Department’s Communications operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day and is staffed by two on-duty dispatchers during each shift. Communications is comprised of 10 full-time dispatchers, 1 part-time dispatcher and is led by a supervisor. Public Safety Dispatchers answer incoming 911 calls and non-emergency phone lines for the police department.
The dispatchers at the Covina Police Department are not only responsible for receiving emergency and non-emergency calls for service. They are also responsible for dispatching police officers to calls for service, updating officer’s locations through the department’s CAD (computer automated dispatch) system, monitoring several applications that assist with incoming 911 calls and police services, and performing a variety of records keeping related tasks.
Public Safety Dispatchers are typically the first contact citizens in the community have with the police department. Dispatchers must remain calm under stressful circumstances. Effective January 1, 2021, the state of California officially classified dispatchers as first responders with the passing of Assembly Bill 1945.
Community Engagement Team
Engagement is a big factor in a thriving community and our Department continues to place an importance on our team interacting with our community members. Formerly known as the Crime Prevention Unit, our Community Engagement Team provides more than useful crime prevention suggestions. This team of experts facilitates our efforts of building strong community partnerships in hopes of identifying and addressing concerns. The Team will provide informational messaging, speaker series, operational showcases and in-person special events.
Our hope is to educate the community in the subjects of personal awareness and safety and crime trends via data analysis. Our team is responsible for Neighborhood Watch meetings, our National Night Out event, our Community Academy and much more.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM
The Neighborhood Watch program is one of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce community anxiety. Members of Neighborhood Watch learn how to make their homes, vehicles, and selves more secure by working with the Covina Police Department and utilizing crime prevention tips and techniques. Furthermore, members look out for each other by reporting suspicious activities to the police. Neighborhood Watch meetings are generally held at a resident’s property and are facilitated by Covina Police Department personnel in conjunction with the Service Area Lieutenants.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
The Department participates in National Night Out. This annual event is designed to encourage connections and partnerships between neighbors and the Department. The Department invites other City Officials, personnel and Community partners that provide services to Covina. In Covina, this event is held in October and will be announced via Department Social Media and posted in the News section of the Department Website.
Crime Patterns and Analysis
In May 2023, the Department began posting a Community Crime Patterns and Analysis Monthly Report. This report will be announced via Department Social Media and posted in the News section of the Department Website.
Speaker/Demonstration
The Department has personnel who provide information pertaining to various topics associated with law enforcement. Guest speakers may be available for organizations that have a connection to the City of Covina or surrounding communities. Topics such as narcotics, fraud, K9 and SWAT are some of the topics available to name a few. All requests are reviewed and granted at the discretion of the Chief of Police.
Outside Employment
The Department supports our schools and other events within the community. If your organization is requesting Police Officers as outside employment for a special event, contact the Department. All requests are reviewed and granted at the discretion of the Chief of police.
Police Foundation
The Foundation may bridge the gap for innovative programs, critical equipment needs, specialized training, organizational wellness and emerging technology that would otherwise be unfunded. These aspects directly increase staff readiness and improve public safety in our community.
“I am humbled by the outstanding community engagement the CPD Family continues to demonstrate in kindness, support and respect to our entire community. All of which goes well beyond the station walls. Through the newly formed Covina Police Foundation, I believe our overall positive impact will grow.”
Covina Police Foundation 444 North Citrus Avenue
Covina, CA 91723
Support the Covina Police Foundation today and help us keep Covina a safe place to work, live and play. The Covina Police Foundation is funded entirely from donations and all donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your interest in the Covina Police Foundation.