Interfaith Volunteer Police Chaplains Program...


The Garden Grove Police Department Interfaith Volunteer Chaplains Program.

Within its 17.9 miles, the City of Garden Grove has nearly 100 places of worship, representing many different faiths and religions- more than any other city in Orange County. In 2000, the Garden Grove Police Chaplains Program underwent a dramatic transformation from one that was exclusively white and Christian to the new multi-religious ecumenical Interfaith Volunteer and Chaplain Program.

The program today is directed by founding member Sgt. Pat Bailey, it has representatives serving as police chaplains from the Islamic, Jewish, Buddhist, Mormon, Catholic, Baptist and other Christian faiths. Two chaplains speak Arabic, one speaks Vietnamese and three others speak Spanish.

As with most chaplain programs, the Garden Grove chaplains are required to donate a certain number of hours each month either through ride-alongs, counseling community members and department personnel, responding to call-outs by the police or representing the police department at community functions.

As a result of their contact with the new Chaplains, Garden Grove Police Department personal have increased their knowledge and understanding of the cultures, religions and practices of the many different faiths in the city, and the partnership has provided the department with a much improved relationship with an increasingly diverse community.

On October 17, 2001 the Interfaith Volunteer and Chaplain Program of the Garden Grove Police Department received the Community-Oriented Policing Award from the Orange County Human Relations Commission, during a special awards breakfast at the Disneyland Hotel.

Chaplain Steve LaFond & Founding Member Sgt. Pat Bailey

Garden Grove Police Department - Mission Statement...


The mission of the Garden Grove Police Department, through a Community Partnership, is to improve the quality of life in the city and provide a sense of safety and security to the community members.

General Information

The Garden Grove Police Department is located at 11301 Acacia Parkway, Garden Grove, California, 92840. Located in Orange County, Garden Grove has a population of more than 169,000 and covers 17.9 square miles. We are located approximately 35 miles south of Los Angeles, 90 miles north of San Diego, and two miles south of Disneyland.

The Police Department is under the leadership of Chief Joe Polisar and consists of three Bureaus: the Administrative Services Bureau, led by Deputy Chief Scott Jordan; the Support Services Bureau, led by Captain John Baker; and the Community Policing Bureau, led by Captain Kevin Raney. The Department has grown from 27 officers in 1957 to 165 sworn members today. In addition to the sworn officers, 67 full-time civilians work for the Department.

The divisions of the Administrative Services Bureau include Professional Standards, the Community Liaison Division, and the Administrative Division. The Support Services Bureau is comprised of the Investigations Division, the Communications Division, and the Records Division. The Community Policing Bureau includes the West and East Divisions and the Special Services Division. The Police Department's Intelligence Sergeant reports directly to the Chief of Police.

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"In memory of Steve LaFond."