JULY 1, 2023 – JUNE 30, 2024
Board of Directors & Staff
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Stew Roberts CHAIR Qualcomm Vice President, Global Security
Karyn Cerulli IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Thomson Reuters Regional Sales Manager
Jenny Kikuno TREASURER Leaf & Cole, LLP Partner
Emily Rex SECRETARY DEPARTURE Co-Founder, CEO - Business
Barbara Savaglio WOMEN IN BLUE EXECUTIVE CABINET CHAIR Law Offices of Barbara B. Savaglio Founder
BOARD MEMBERS
SAN DIEGO POLICE FOUNDATION STAFF
Sara Napoli President & CEO
Cathy Abarca Director of Development & Communications
Irene Martin Director of Operations & Special Projects
Rosa Valenzuela Director of Programs & Events
Jason Tarlov Business & Technology Manager
Randy Bolleli Sempra Director of Corporate Security
Denise Friedman PB Town Council Community Organizer, Fundraiser
Christiana Huntzinger Baker Street Group Retired Special Agent, NCIS, Private Investigator
Byron Johnston Teague Insurance President
Jayanti Menches, SCMP Employera Senior Communications Consultant
Wendy Waddell SafetyNet® Program Manager
Bianca Bennett Operations & Grants Coordinator
Jessica Bravo Development Coordinator SafetyNet® Bilingual Presenter
Danielle Delgado Communications Specialist
EMERITUS TRUSTEES
Scott Bedingfield Cavignac & Associates Principal
Bill Davidson Sapienter Group, Amionx Founder, CEO, COO
Bill Eigner Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP Partner
Steve Fanucchi CBIZ Director
Craig Fuller Fuller Law Group PC Owner, Attorney
Chris Ghio
Chicago Title Vice President
Lowell Handy T-Mobile Director, Network Engineering & Operations
Charles W. Hartford The Hartford Group Rockefeller Global Family Fund Financial Advisor
Katherine Hoffman Solomon Ward Seidenwurm & Smith, LLP Of Counsel
David Loseke First Republic Bank Senior Commercial Lender
Carol Tohsaku San Diego State University & UC San Diego Alumna and Retiree Educational/ Instructional Technologist
Vilen Vlasov VCA Animal Hospitals Regional Marketing Manager
Anthony Methvin SafetyNet® Presenter
Tori Rice SafetyNet® Presenter
Alyssa Schechter SafetyNet® Presenter
Daisy Martinez SafetyNet® Bilingual Presenter
What We Accomplished Together
Your donations support initiatives like these that benefit our police, our communities, and our families.
Community Outreach & Awareness
INSIDE SDPD
A dynamic, behind-the-scenes experience, Inside SDPD allows attendees to step into the shoes of a police officer for a few hours. Led by San Diego police officers, community members have the unique opportunity to participate in de-escalation, use-of-force, vehicle stops, and simulated firearms training activities. This public event bridges the gap between the community and local law enforcement.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
Each year, SDPD honors its nearly 1,000 volunteers who contribute to community safety through roles such as victim support, traffic management, and safety checks for vulnerable populations. The Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon celebrates their dedication with a meal served by SDPD’s highest-ranking officers and an awards ceremony, boosting morale and reinforcing the essential partnership between officers and volunteers.
CRISIS INTERVENTIONIST RECRUITMENT KITS
To better support victims of traumatic incidents such as assaults, domestic violence, and the death of a loved one, SDPD’s Crisis Interventionist Program aims to recruit more volunteers. With these new recruitment kits, the Volunteer Services Unit can better engage potential volunteers at community events, ultimately expanding the program’s reach and helping more individuals in need.
SDPD LGBTQ+ CHALLENGE COINS
Distributed at events such as San Diego PRIDE, these challenge coins serve as a symbol of goodwill and SDPD’s support for the LGBTQ+ community. Presented by SDPD’s LGBTQ+ Liaison Team, the coins foster positive interactions between officers and community members, helping build trust and understanding.
POLICE PLAZA IMPROVEMENTS
Police Plaza is where applicants to the police academy take physical testing. The Police Foundation recently installed new turf, provided an equipment storage container, and built a short cement wall for the agility test. This improved physical testing location will better attract applicants and provide a safer testing experience with the goal of recruiting more officers to the Department.
YOUTH BOXING PROGRAM
Gym rentals and sports equipment were supplied for the Youth Boxing Program, managed by SDPD’s Gang Intervention Unit. The program instills responsibility, commitment to a task, and physical and mental conditioning. It is essential, not only for intervention and prevention but also for building trust with juveniles in our communities.
Equipment & Technology
25 VOLCANIC POLICE BICYCLES
Central Division’s Gaslamp Enforcement Team, also known as the Bike Team, relies on bicycles to patrol the busy Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego’s most vibrant entertainment district. In partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation, new police bicycles were funded, equipped with enhanced safety features and superior performance and maneuverability. Officers can now move swiftly through congested areas, ensuring quick response times and heightened safety for locals and tourists.
FORCE OPTIONS SIMULATOR SOFTWARE
This cutting-edge simulator immerses up to four officers at a time in lifelike scenarios. The software allows the Training Unit to design custom scenarios tailored to San Diego, with thousands of variable outcomes. Officers gain crucial skills in force options and de-escalation, improving their ability to make split-second decisions that keep our community safe.
MEDICAL LITTERS
When officers respond to critical incidents, they often need to transport injured individuals quickly. The medical litter enables officers to efficiently move the injured to safety, ensuring they receive the urgent medical attention they need.
ALL-IN-ONE OPTICAL WRITER
The Traffic Investigations Unit, tasked with investigating fatal collisions and collisions involving felony prosecution, now has access to all-in-one optical writers. These tools allow detectives to quickly view and extract potential video and photo evidence, increasing the likelihood of identifying and apprehending suspects.
TRAFFIC INVESTIGATIONS TRAINING SOFTWARE
This advanced software aids the Traffic Investigations Unit in collision investigation, scene documentation, evidence collection, and collision reconstruction. The technology creates 3D environments that can be used as evidence and visual aids in trials. It is a vital tool in prosecuting cases involving fatal collisions and DUI collisions where people have been severely injured.
ABLE FLIGHT SUITS
The Airborne Law Enforcement (ABLE) Unit received updated, two-piece flight suits, replacing the outdated one-piece Nomex suits. These new flight suits are cooler, allow for better mobility, and reduce fatigue, ultimately improving crew performance and safety during aerial missions.
Specialized Training
NARCOTIC DETECTION CANINE HANDLER TRAINING
With scholarships provided for three SDPD Narcotic Detection Canine Handlers, officers received advanced training at a distinguished annual seminar. This training is imperative because drug trafficking organizations are constantly attempting new and innovative ways to elude law enforcement. The seminar also provides networking opportunities that foster collaboration across local, state, and federal investigations.
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS
Fifty scholarships were provided to rising female personnel, both sworn and civilian, and their mentors, to attend and receive the training and leadership opportunities needed to stay a step ahead in an occupation traditionally pursued by men. Nationwide, women make up only 12% of sworn officers and 3% of police leadership. These scholarships are helping bridge this gap.
A Look Ahead at Chief Wahl’s Key Priorities
Under Chief Scott Wahl’s leadership, America’s Finest looks to advance innovation, progress, and excellence. Chief Wahl has prioritized specialized training to shape the next generation of leaders within the San Diego Police Department. With your support, SDPD can remain a STEP AHEAD, empowering future leaders with the skills they need to rise, innovate, and lead the department forward.
LEARN ABOUT ALL OUR INITIATIVES |
K9 Crimefighters Program
For the past 21 years, every police service dog at the San Diego Police Department has been purchased with funds donated by the community through the Police Foundation. These specialized canines safeguard public events, find missing persons, locate evidence, de-escalate dangerous situations, prevent shootings, and preserve life. Last year, the K9 Unit responded to nearly 21,000 calls, working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, benefiting all our communities.
Approximately 195 times per year, a canine is credited with being the sole reason a suspect surrenders. SDPD K9 Handlers deploy their dogs roughly 2,165 times annually, and in 99% of these instances, the presence of a dog alone resolves the situation without physical contact. These canines are indispensable de-ecalation tools, helping to prevent confrontations before they start.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR K9 PROGRAM |
POLICE SERVICE DOGS
Eight new K9 Crimefighters followed in the paw prints of retired canines. These four-legged heroes are chosen for their strong play drive, agility, and intelligence. They clear areas before officers approach on foot and perform searches for fleeing or hidden suspects. Because they can cover up to four times the distance as their human partners, each dog saves SDPD nearly 700 service hours annually.
CHILD ADVOCATE COMPANION CANINE
Through community contributions, the Police Foundation funded SDPD’s first child advocate companion canine named Lyle Hope. These specially trained facility canines provide support to our most vulnerable victims—children who have experienced sexual and physical abuse—by offering therapy services that reduce stress, fear, and anxiety during investigations and legal proceedings. By easing these emotional burdens, child advocate canines help improve the quality of interactions throughout the investigation. This support ultimately leads to stronger case outcomes, resulting in more successful prosecutions of child abusers and a clearer path to healing for victims and their families.
HOME KENNELS
Home Kennels provide safe and proper housing at a K9 Officer’s residence, enhancing the handler-canine bond with 24/7 contact. These kennels allow officers to respond quickly to emergencies when off-duty.
K9 VESTS
Bullet and stab-resistant K9 vests protect our police dogs’ vital organs, allowing them to move freely, keep cool, and stay safe on duty. The vests are fitted to each canine’s body, ensuring optimal protection as they run towards danger and save human lives.
TRAINING SUITS
Kevlar training suits provide a more realistic simulation of apprehension scenarios, allowing canine teams to train in environments that closely mimic field situations. The suit allows training staff to safely assess and refine the canine’s behavior during training.
CANINE HANDLER TRAINING
To maintain credentials and demonstrate a commitment to proficiency, canine handler training is funded through scholarships to attend national conferences where officers can work with various trainers on the continued development of canine training material and scenariobased exercises.
SafetyNet® Program
SafetyNet: Smart Cyber Choices® is a collaboration between the San Diego Police Foundation and the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (SDICAC), designed to help children, parents and guardians, educators, and other concerned adults learn safer online practices. Studies show that once kids have the key information they need to protect themselves, they actually do. SafetyNet® empowers today’s youth to be safe and thoughtful users of technology.
The need for internet safety training remains critical. Children have access to websites and apps that expose them to cyberbullying, sexting, hacking, and dangerous online predators.
Quick Facts:
• 6 out of 10 kids have been cyberbullied
• 1 in 5 kids has been sexually solicited online
• 24% of teens have been involved in sexting
• 35% of high schoolers have met someone in person they first met on the internet
Many of these activities happen at what we perceive to be the “safety” of home. Schools and guardians are having difficulty keeping up with the rapid evolution of technology and may
not have the knowledge or time to instruct our youth on smart cyber choices. SafetyNet® fills this critical gap by going where the kids are.
In the 2023-2024 School Year, SafetyNet® accomplished:
+ 94 School Assemblies
+ 128 Total Presentations
+ 32,150 Total Attendees
+ 20% of whom are from underserved communities
CYBERCHAT WITH SAFETYNET®
Cyberchat with SafetyNet® is your go-to source for navigating the digital landscape with smart cyber choices! Led by our expert SafetyNet® staff, CyberChat delves into trending topics, providing you with insights, tips, and strategies to cultivate a safer and smarter online experience. Topics covered include hackers and scammers, privacy setting tips, social media, video games, cyberbullying and much more.
The Women in Blue Initiative
The Women in Blue Initiative elevates inclusion, leadership, and the advancement and representation of women in all ranks of policing by providing funding for training, mentoring, collaboration, and networking opportunities for rising female leaders in law enforcement.
Fifty scholarships for the Women Leaders in Law Enforcement (WLLE) conference were provided for SDPD female personnel and their mentors, both sworn and civilian, to attend and receive training and mentoring opportunities needed to stay a step ahead. WLLE is a unique opportunity for our local female officers to create a strong peer network of contacts across the United States, acquire credentials that allow for advanced assignments, and develop professionally.
SDPD’s Quarterly Women’s Leadership Conference provides opportunities for mentorship, camaraderie, and professional growth. Each session of the quarterly
conference attracts over 120 attendees, including the highest-ranking SDPD female officers.
SDPD’s Annual Women’s Hiring Expo invites prospective candidates to discuss the hiring process, the police academy demands – both academic and physical – and the various opportunities and career paths available with representatives from the K9 Unit, SWAT Unit, and Investigative Unit. Attendees can participate in a Candidate Assistance Mentoring Program (CAMP) workout and receive direction, guidance, and counseling during the hiring process. Candidates learn close-order drills and movements designed to prepare them for the physical and mental rigors of the police academy.
Our Mission
The San Diego Police Foundation proudly supports America’s finest police department by cultivating positive community engagement and helping fund vital equipment and specialized training that ensures peace and safety for all.
WHAT WE DO:
• Fund critical needs for new technologies and lifepreserving equipment;
• Cultivate programs and initiatives that address online safety, promote diversity of SDPD personnel, and deepen police-community relations;
• Enhance leadership, training, and officer wellness within SDPD;
• Advocate for better safety measures and practices in our communities;
• Strengthen the mutually beneficial relationship between SDPD and the public it serves;
• Raise awareness of the outstanding service SDPD provides to our communities.
With every civic amenity we enjoy, like our parks, beaches, mountain trails, or even our libraries and public schools, there is a gap between what the city budget can provide and what is actually needed. In the case of our police, filling that gap can be lifesaving.
We do not fund personnel, regular police vehicles, lethal weapons, or standard officer uniforms and police equipment.
San Diego Police Foundation
550 West C Street, Suite 500 San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-2130
development@sdpolicefoundation.org
sdpolicefoundation.org