ANNUAL REPORT 2023
ANOTE FROMTHE CHIEF
Pride. Professionalism. Service.
Dear members of the Gilroy community,
I am both honored and humbled to present the Gilroy Police Department’s Annual Report for 2023. This report represents not only the progress we have made over the past year but also our unwavering commitment to serving you with respect, integrity, compassion, teamwork, innovation, and accountability
Our values are more than just words; they guide our service delivery model within our department Each member of our team is dedicated to fostering a safe and secure environment for our community We believe in treating every individual with respect and fairness, upholding the highest standards of integrity in our conduct, and showing compassion in every interaction Innovation drives us to continuously improve our practices and adapt to the evolving needs of our community, while teamwork ensures that we work in harmony to achieve common goals. Most importantly, accountability is at the core of our service, ensuring that we are transparent and responsible for our actions.
This year, we have made significant strides in leveraging technology to enhance our service delivery By staying current with the latest advancements in the industry, we have been able to improve our operational efficiency and better respond to the needs of our community These technological investments complement our commitment to providing this level of service and keeping Gilroy safe
Conversely, we recognize that the well-being of our team is equally important We are proud to report that we are one of only six agencies in the state selected to partner with the University of San Diego and the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) to develop a groundbreaking wellness model program. This initiative, supported by a state wellness grant, underscores our dedication to the health and resilience of our officers, ensuring they remain at their best to serve you effectively
As you read through this report, you will gain insight into the many ways in which we strive to deliver our service From our proactive preventative strategies to our community engagement initiatives, we aim to keep you informed about our efforts and achievements This document reflects our dedication to maintaining open communication with you, our valued community members
Our team takes great pride in the work we do and the relationships we build with the people we serve. We are deeply grateful for the support and trust you place in us. It is a privilege to work alongside such committed individuals and to contribute to the well-being of our community.
Thank you for allowing us to serve you We look forward to continuing our partnership and working together to ensure Gilroy remains a safe and vibrant place to live, work, and play
Sincerely,
Pedro
PEDRO ESPINOZA PoliceChief
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Serving with intention and purpose, the goal of the Gilroy Police Department every day is to ensure that we answer calls for service with a compassionate mindset and that every interaction ensures that those we contact are treated with dignity and respect. We aim to ensure that we reflect the values our community believes in.
VISION
The Gilroy Police Department is dedicated to courageously ensuring the safety of our community. We work daily to accomplish this through our core values: respect, integrity, compassion, teamwork, innovation, and accountability.
MISSION
Our mission is to provide excellent public safety services in partnership with the community. Our motto is: “Pride, Professionalism. Service.”
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
Adopted budget: $28,533,203
The police department’s budget is split into two aspects -- the Special Revenue Fund and the General Fund. A majority of funding sources for the department are provided from the General Operating fund.
The Special Revenue fund is described as intergovernmental funds in the manner of tax sharing or grants from Federal, State, County, and other regional governments. For public safety, this includes funding for gang prevention, task forces, and the Proposition 172 sales tax.
For the 2023 fiscal year, the approved General Fund for the Gilroy Police Department was $26,601,070. The approved Special Revenue was $1,932,133.
CRIMEATAGLANCE
Total arrests in 2023: 1,527
Preventing crime and keeping our community safe continues to be a top priority for us. For the Gilroy Police Department, prompt responses to emergency calls, outreach efforts and engagement both in the community and online as well as working in collaboration with county and community-based organizations allows us to provide supportive assistance, diversion and other services to those who may need it. These partnerships also help in reducing crime so that all who call Gilroy home can feel safe.
In 2022, we fully transitioned from the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) system to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). The transition allowed for more detailed characteristics to be reported to the FBI regarding criminal incidents.
Under UCR, only the highest criminal offense that occurred on one incident would be reported to the FBI. NIBRS will allow for all the offenses within an incident to be reported. Going forward, as we work to more comprehensively and cohesively report and collect data, we will be sharing those statistics with you in our annual reports as well as online at Gilroy.CrimeGraphics.com. This real-time website is updated consistently to reflect much of the police work that is done on patrol on a daily basis.
Our goal every day is the safety of our community. Our round-the-clock efforts by our teams work to ensure that our City is cared for and protected. Crime trends we continue to see are predominantly property crimes and drug and narcotic violations. We remain vigilant to protecting Gilroy and making it a welcoming and secure place to live, work and visit.
OVERVIEW CALLS FOR SERVICE
TOTAL NUMBER OF CALLS TAKEN IN 2023: 93,168
The City of Gilroy’s 911 Communications Center is a fast-paced, public safety division that is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and staffed by a dedicated team of dispatchers whose mission is to provide for our community and our first responder teams in a professional and expedient manner.
The team dispatches emergency response units, monitors statuses and provides assistance for both the Gilroy Police Department and the Gilroy Fire Department. The center also handles administrative and city departments requests and afterhours emergencies including calls from Public Works and Facilities & Utilities. From providing life-saving medical instructions to updates on in-progress crimes to responding officers, Gilroy dispatchers are vital to the public safety mission in serving with pride and professionalism.
OVERVIEW CALLS FOR SERVICE
TOTAL CALLS FOR SERVICE IN 2023: 67,601
AVERAGE ANSWER TIME WITHIN 10 SECONDS OF EMERGENCY CALLS: 97.3%
Per the state’s Office of Emergency Services 911 standards, dispatchers are to answer 911 calls within 15 seconds 95% of the time. Answering 911 calls within 10 seconds 95% of the time remains our goal in Communications.
DATAENTRY
PROPERTYANDEVIDENCE
*Destruction schedules are on a biennial basis Items collected for destruction in 2023 will be destroyed in 2024
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
TOTAL CONTACTS IN 2023: 15,935
Of the total number of contacts the Gilroy Police Department had in 2023, only 48 resulted in a use of force. Of those 48 use of force incidents, 44 resulted in no injuries or minor injuries
In addition to the meticulous care officers took throughout the year when contacts were made during calls for service, all personnel completed Principled Policing training This 8hour course was the first POST-certified course on procedural justice and implicit bias. Our defensive tactics instructors have also incorporated deescalation training into every aspect of their training for officers
Also of note, eleven of our department personnel received awards for their commitment and service to the Gilroy community in 2023
INVESTIGATIONSANDTHE ANTI-CRIMETEAM(ACT)
Total number of cases referred to Investigations
Arrests by the ACT team Firearms seized
2023wasabusyyearforour detectiveswhoworkedaroundthe clocktobringjusticetovictimsand theirfamiliesandtokeeptheGilroy communitysafe.
Our Investigations team worked steadily on numerous high profile cases, including identifying and arresting a suspect in the Alyssa Salazar murder Moreover, the team also successfully apprehended a prolific commercial burglar and detained several individuals connected to organized retail thefts
In addition to their work within the City of Gilroy, GPD had a detective assigned to the Regional Enforcement Allied Computer Team (REACT) Task Force, which focuses on combating the escalating problem of high technology crime and the threat it poses to communities
Our Anti-Crime Team was equally busy, not just with their own investigations but also with assisting various patrol events and outside agencies on a variety of cases. Several pounds of narcotics were seized over the course of the year, as was several thousand dollars.
Noteworthy cases included the arrest of five people connected to a drug trafficking case, apprehending a man wanted in connection with trafficking illegal firearms including several ghost guns, and the arrest of four people in three separate cases wanted in connection with possessing narcotics for sale These cases kept dangerous drugs like Fentanyl, methamphetamine and psilocybin from making their way into the hands of people in our community.
SPECIALTY UNITS
DRONETEAM
Total deployments
From assisting our Gilroy Fire Department partners to our outside agency law enforcement partners, the Drone Team was deployed on numerous searches for wanted suspects, structure fires, and search warrants, proving vital to keeping first responders safe during active incidents.
In addition to proactive public safety efforts, the team also provided much needed assistance monitoring creeks during massive flooding that occurred early in the year, fireworks responses during the Fourth of July holiday, and searches for people who had been reported missing
62 Patrol: 31 SWAT: 13 Investigations: 13 Fire: 4 Community presentation: 1
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM(CET)
In our Community Engagement Team’s first full year deployed as a pilot program, they remained committed to responding to hundreds of quality of life calls for service and connecting those in need to the appropriate services. They also remained ever-mindful of working on GPD’s larger mission to keep the community safe.
In addition to the data below, CET officers took 22 reports, issued 165 warnings, made 12 arrests and towed 10 vehicles
Calls for service: 768 Connected with services: 198
Received Services: 89 Received Housing: 75 Community presentations: 10
SCHOOLRESOURCE OFFICERS
The role of the School Resource Officer at the Gilroy Police Department is full of rewarding opportunities to connect with students, parents, school staff and administrators, as well as the community at-large. In 2023, two School Resource Officers served thousands of students as they championed beneficial school environments at the elementary, middle and high school grade levels
The primary functions of the SRO include: maintaining a safe and secure campus for students and staff to have a positive learning environment, promoting community and positive relationships, and diverting youth away from the criminal justice system through programming, counseling and more
In addition to their work in the campus environment, SROs also provided support and/or coordination of our department’s Explorer program, the third annual Youth Academy, and National Night Out, among other events.
126
Counselingsessions
24
Presentations,Meetingsand Trainings
K9 UNIT
2023 was a busy year for our K9 team, Maverick and Officer Tarasco In addition to patrol work that featured 19 apprehensions, nine area searches, and three building searches, the K9 team also conducted six demonstrations and attended six additional classes, totaling nearly 100 additional hours in training.
121.5
32 Hoursoftraining deployments
Some noteworthy cases for the K9 team included a commercial burglary suspect who attempted to run away from officers who was apprehended by the K9 team, a search for a suspect who tried to hide after firing shots during a domestic violence incident, and helping to capture a wanted felon who tried to flee from our teams
In addition to Maverick’s work, we bid a fond farewell to K9 Kuma, who retired after faithfully serving Gilroy for over 3 years.
SPECIALTY UNITS
MOUNTED UNIT
As the only Mounted Unit in the County, Gilroy PD’s team remains busy throughout the year In addition to monthly trainings, the team participates throughout the County in presentations -- both in English and in Spanish -- and assists in both Honor Guard and Officer Memorial ceremonies
Formed in 1997, the team is a collateral duty that includes horses Bonnie, Tlaloc, “Q,” Winston, Cairo, and Guapo. Each of the four officers that currently serve in the Mounted Unit also serve in other duties within the department including on our patrol teams and CET teams
Total deployments: 15
Training hours: 60
Number of horses: 6
Total hours trained
Gilroy/Morgan Hill SWAT is a joint tactical response team with members of both the Gilroy and Morgan Hill Police Departments The team consists of a Tactical Operations Command supported by tactical dispatchers, an entry team, a sniper team, a tactical medic team -- comprised of members of the Gilroy Fire Department and Cal-Fire -- and K-9 and drone teams
All missions are done in conjunction with the Crisis Response Team, also comprised of members of GPD and MHPD
Deployments: 12
Homicide cases: 2
Assault with a deadly weapon cases: 3
Firearms cases: 2
Armed robbery cases: 4
Attempted robbery case: 1
PEER SUPPORT/CISD
The Gilroy Police Department Critical Incident Support Debrief (CISD)/ Peer Support Team is responsible for the long-term success of the Department’s wellness program The team consists of trained department personnel to include two Sergeants, five Officers, one Public Safety Dispatcher, one Records Technician, three Police Chaplains, and a retired Police Corporal who is also a licensed marriage and family therapist. The CISD Team is available to help all department personnel in the aftermath of a critical incident such as mass-casualty events, line of duty deaths, colleague suicide, and calls for service involving traumatic scenes
CISD Team members are required to attend POST training including Peer Support and Critical Incident Stress Debrief. Members of CISD avail themselves to counsel coworkers or to help guide coworkers to professional service providers A core goal of the Police Department work plan is to implement an employee wellness and resiliency program
The focus of the team is to develop and expand options to assist police personnel with their physical and mental health. The team in 2023 conducted several debriefs for critical events and has implemented several wellness projects, including quiet rooms, maintaining a robust Chaplaincy program, and fostering partnerships with non-profits such as the Gary Sinise Foundation
TRAFFICUNIT
The Traffic Division of the Gilroy Police Department manages all traffic-related issues within the city. This includes investigating major injury and fatality accidents, enforcing traffic laws, providing traffic education, and overseeing parking enforcement Additionally, the division coordinates off-duty Police Officer requests for special events and manages the Volunteers in Policing (VIP) program.
The Traffic Division is comprised of two Motor Officers, a Parking Control Community Service Officer (CSO), and a Motor Sergeant In 2023, the City of Gilroy had 1,126 collisions reported, including three fatal vehicle crashes involving pedestrians or bicyclists. Our motor officers handled these investigations in partnership with our collateral Major Accident Investigations Team (MAIT) These investigations take a significant amount of time and technical expertise to determine a cause and seek any criminal prosecution, if necessary. While injury collisions have risen post-pandemic as more people return the roads, in 2023 Gilroy did see a 25 percent decrease in fatal collisions The Traffic Division also noted 66 complaint locations within City limits and officers spent a combined 316 hours at those sites to address violations in addition to their regular duties.
To work to combat collisions throughout the city, the Traffic Unit conducted enforcement operations that resulted in 1,084 citations issued, educational campaigns, and other awareness efforts. Additionally, parking complaints and vehicle abatement in Gilroy were handled by the Parking Enforcement CSO, with approximately 792 vehicles addressed in 2023
SOUTHCOUNTY YOUTHTASKFORCE
BACKGROUND
Based out of the Gilroy Police Department, the South County Youth Task Force (SCYTF) is a volunteerbased, non-political body serving the South Santa Clara County cities of Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and San Martin. The goal of the SCYTF is to promote a safe and nurturing community that creates and ensures sustainable access to opportunities, resources, and services for South County youth and their families while empowering their voice and supporting growth and success.
By working to create a community that is safe and free of youth violence where young people are strong, thriving, and connected to their families, schools, and neighborhoods, the SCYTF aims to encourage information and resource sharing and to advance evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies as well as unite South County entities to empower the communities’ youth
Along with supporting dedicated case management, youth outreach, school youth groups, and a variety of community-focused trainings, the SCYTF sponsors and co-produces prosocial programming like weekly Late Night Gyms, National Night Out, Party in the Park, handball tournaments, youth field trips, and Dia del Niño
2,439
Totalunduplicatedyouthand adultsservedin2023
15,276
Totalduplicatedyouthand adultsservedacrossall programsin2023
On Oct. 1, 2023 and in partnership with Axon, the Gilroy Police Department launched My90, a community survey that offers anonymous feedback options to the community This endeavor was identified as part of the department’s work plan to increase our transparency and community trust-building efforts
The community survey can be taken by anyone who scans a QR code The code takes the community member to a brief survey where they provide input on public safety concerns, their view of GPD and how we can better serve them. Demographic information is optional in the responses.
In the first 3 months of its implementation, the department received 372 community responses. Roughly 56 percent of respondents were women and roughly 44 percent were men Of the respondents that chose to share their race or ethnicity, 47 percent were White, 42 percent were Hispanic/ Latino, roughly 5 percent were Asian, and roughly 4 percent identified as Native American
COMMUNITY EVENTS
The Gilroy Police Department hosted or participated in numerous community events in 2023, including our first-ever Women in Law Enforcement Day, Coffee with a Cop, National Night Out, a Fentanyl Awareness Night, a Fall Fair at Alexander Station, and so much more.
