Services

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The Redwood City Police Department provides a full range of law enforcement and public safety services to the Redwood City community, from emergency response to community outreach. Below is an overview of what the Department offers.

Emergency & Patrol Response

RCPD's Patrol Division provides around-the-clock uniformed police presence throughout Redwood City. Officers respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service, patrol neighborhoods and business districts, conduct traffic enforcement, and serve as the primary point of contact between the Department and the community. Community Service Officers and Parking Enforcement Officers support these efforts, and a Crisis Response Clinician works alongside patrol to assist with behavioral health-related calls.

Investigations

When a case requires more than an initial report, RCPD's Investigations Division takes over. General Investigations detectives follow up on crimes referred from patrol, gather evidence, and prepare cases for prosecution. The Street Crimes Suppression Team proactively addresses street-level crime, the Juvenile Unit handles cases involving minors, and a Crime Analyst identifies citywide crime patterns and trends to help direct department resources.

Records & Permits

The Department's Business Manager oversees the Records Unit, which maintains police reports, responds to public records requests, and manages administrative functions. RCPD also issues a variety of permits and licenses required under the Redwood City Municipal Code, including permits for special events, block parties, solicitors, peddlers, dances, and other regulated activities.

Professional Standards & Training

RCPD is committed to accountability and ongoing professional development. The Professional Standards Lieutenant oversees officer training - from the state-mandated Basic Academy through advanced, specialized in-service courses - as well as the Body Worn Camera Program. This commitment to training helps develop subject matter experts within the Department's own ranks.

Property & Evidence

The Property & Evidence Room, part of the Investigations Division, is responsible for the secure collection, storage, and management of evidence and recovered property connected to criminal cases.

Communications & Dispatch

RCPD's Communications Unit staffs the Department's dispatch center 24 hours a day, answering emergency and non-emergency calls and coordinating the deployment of officers and resources across the city.

Specialty Assignments

Beyond core patrol and investigative functions, RCPD maintains a range of specialized units and task forces, including the Special Response Team, K9 Unit, Motor Unit, Marine Unit, UAS (drone) Pilots, Crisis Negotiations Unit, and various federal and regional task force partnerships. These units provide the Department with expanded tactical, technical, and investigative capability.

Community Programs

RCPD offers numerous programs designed to build relationships and improve safety throughout the city, including Neighborhood Watch, the Cadet Program, Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), the Parent Project, the Community Police Academy, Coffee with the Cops, and youth-focused programs through the Police Activities League (PAL). The Department also partners with the Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team (CWCRT) to provide co-response mental health support, and the Community Coordinating Activities Team (CCAT) to support neighborhood-level engagement.

Transparency & Accountability

RCPD is committed to public transparency, providing access to policy information, use-of-force data, military equipment inventories, and other transparency dashboards in compliance with state law. Residents can also file compliments or complaints regarding Department employees, with all formal complaints thoroughly and impartially investigated.

FAQs

What is the current state of Redwood City’s budget?

Redwood City has balanced its budget consistently for many years but faces a structural deficit in the years ahead. This deficit, driven primarily by state-mandated increases in pension costs, is projected to reach more than $12 million annually in five years. The City has taken a proactive approach to addressing this through staffing cuts, increased employee contributions to pensions and maximizing fees charged to developers. Despite these steps, without additional revenue, the City will face significant cuts to services, including public safety, which comprises 60% of the operating budget.
Why does Redwood City face a structural budget deficit?

Several factors contribute to this structural deficit. First, the cost of providing essential city services has increased significantly in recent years while revenues have not kept pace. Second, while property values have increased, Redwood City only receives 18% of property tax revenue. Third, even after proactive reforms, the City must sharply increase payments to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System to fund pensions for retired and current employees. With the costs of services and rising pension costs outpacing revenues, the City must raise locally controlled revenues or make even more significant cuts to core city services to balance the budget.
Does the City have a budget surplus?

No. Since 1999, Redwood City has had a reserve policy of setting aside 15-20% of General Fund revenues. The current reserve balance is $21.4 million. This reserve is set aside to ensure that the City has money for a crisis such as an economic crash or a catastrophic event such as an earthquake that would require funds to rebuild critical infrastructure. In recent years, when revenue has exceeded expenses, and the City’s reserves are funded, the City has made additional payments toward unfunded liabilities. The City’s reserves cannot solve the structural deficit, and one-time funds cannot cover the cost of ongoing services, like public safety services and library programs.

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