Community Oriented Policing/Problem Solving (COPPS)

The Atascadero Police Department uses Community Oriented Policing/Problem Solving (COPPS) to identify, analyze, and resolve crime and service problems that most impact the community's safety and quality of life and the deployment of the resources of the Department. COPPS recognizes individuals and community groups and organizations as key partners with the Department in creating and maintaining a safe and secure community.

COPPS is a philosophy, management style, and organizational strategy that promotes pro-active problem solving and community partnerships to address the cause and resolution of crime and other community concerns. The community partnerships are interactive processes involving Police Officers working with citizens who work or live in neighborhoods. The Department emphasizes identifying, analyzing, and responding to community concerns through a cooperative effort involving all available resources. Those resources may include other governmental agencies, private agencies, civic organizations, Department members, and individual members of the community. Through these partnerships, citizens of the community assume a more active role in resolving shared problems. The positive result is more effective and thorough responses to the specific needs of the community. While the Atascadero Police Department will continue to enforce the law and remain "Dedicted to Professional Service," we actively encourage input and assistance from community members to identify and solve problems with us.

If you are interested in learning more about COPPS and how it may benefit you and your neighborhood and enhance the quality of life in our community, please call (805)461-5051 and ask to speak with the Support Services Lieutenant.