E.p.a. P.d.?

[lsmalibu]

I got a recruitment letter from EPA PD, and while I know a few things about the city and the crime rate (partially why it's attractive) but I don't know anything about the department. I've looked online, but there's almost nothing to EPA PD's website. Does anybody know anything about the department? Size, Specialized Units, retirement, etc.

[sgttom]

EPA used to be an incorporated area patrolled by the Sheriff's Office. In early / mid 1980's, the city incorporated and started their own PD. In the first year of the Dept, they had their first Officer Killed in the Line of Duty (Joel). In December 2005, they had their second killed in the Line of Duty (Richard).

EPA is mostly a low income / high crime city with a high hispanic and african amercian population. The population is approximately 25-30K. The city has been running good in the past five (5) years with the addition of big named businesses into the area (IKEA, big corporations, big name Hotels).... SO, they are finally turning around, increasing their tax base.. If anyone thinks EPA is "bad" now, you should have seen it prior to the PD being there.... wow. for many years, it was the #1 agency for homicides per capita..

For many years, the PD there offered 401K only as their retirement due to their financial woes, not to mention low pay considering the surrounding area agencies. They are doing LOTS better now. The department was struggling in the past but not as much now.

They have a new Chief there who is experienced and pro active. The Department is approximately 35 sworn. The Sheriff's Dept runs part of their investigations unit with a few officers as Detectives. They have a small motor unit, limited tactical unit but not full swat, I believe they are are about to or recently started a SRO program. They are mostly patrol based due to the issues they have.

They are a progressive department, a tight knit group of folks. I would work there in a heartbeat.....

[lsmalibu]

Extremely knowledgeable as usual. Thanks Sgt Tom.

[jnojr]

"EPA"??? My first thought was Environmental Protection Agency... "HALT! Drop the aerosol hair spray or I'll open fire!"

[lsmalibu]

Originally Posted by jnojr

"EPA"??? My first thought was Environmental Protection Agency... "HALT! Drop the aerosol hair spray or I'll open fire!"

Lol, East Palo Alto PD for those of you that don't know.

[District B 13]

I used to work there. It is a piece of crap agency due to the mis-management of the "chief". He came over from Oakland PD with a huge chip on his shoulder, and is one of the most misguided idiots I've ever seen. I won't mention the racial aspect of his choices for Supervisor and above positions. It's interesting that since he arrived, the crime rate went up, however the press has hushed it up for years. The City Council wants him out and he is busy applying to other departments.

Don't waste your time going there. It is defunct, has a few good cops, and is the place you get out of as fast as possible. Go take a look at the "PD". It's a series of red tagged trailers with mold. And that was a "step up" from where we used to be, an old bank building.

However, if you really need to eat rusty razor blades, put up with idiots who don't know what the hell they are doing, but get a high volume of in progress felony calls, by all means go there. Or you could just shoot yourself in the head with a nail gun while playing GTA on the X box. Same thing.

[R1pilot]

Yikes.

Don't hold back, tell us how you really feel...

[deputy x 2]

The chief came from OPD??? Was that a step up or step down?

Same type of peeps different city.

Take your talent where you can make a difference.

[IronBruin]

Originally Posted by jnojr

"EPA"??? My first thought was Environmental Protection Agency... "HALT! Drop the aerosol hair spray or I'll open fire!"

Haha, that's what I was thinking too

[IronBruin]

Originally Posted by District B 13

I used to work there. It is a piece of crap agency due to the mis-management of the "chief". He came over from Oakland PD with a huge chip on his shoulder, and is one of the most misguided idiots I've ever seen. I won't mention the racial aspect of his choices for Supervisor and above positions. It's interesting that since he arrived, the crime rate went up, however the press has hushed it up for years. The City Council wants him out and he is busy applying to other departments.

Don't waste your time going there. It is defunct, has a few good cops, and is the place you get out of as fast as possible. Go take a look at the "PD". It's a series of red tagged trailers with mold. And that was a "step up" from where we used to be, an old bank building.

However, if you really need to eat rusty razor blades, put up with idiots who don't know what the hell they are doing, but get a high volume of in progress felony calls, by all means go there. Or you could just shoot yourself in the head with a nail gun while playing GTA on the X box. Same thing.

[ExSDSO]

Originally Posted by District B 13

I used to work there. It is a piece of crap agency due to the mis-management of the "chief". He came over from Oakland PD with a huge chip on his shoulder, and is one of the most misguided idiots I've ever seen. I won't mention the racial aspect of his choices for Supervisor and above positions. It's interesting that since he arrived, the crime rate went up, however the press has hushed it up for years. The City Council wants him out and he is busy applying to other departments.

Don't waste your time going there. It is defunct, has a few good cops, and is the place you get out of as fast as possible. Go take a look at the "PD". It's a series of red tagged trailers with mold. And that was a "step up" from where we used to be, an old bank building.

However, if you really need to eat rusty razor blades, put up with idiots who don't know what the hell they are doing, but get a high volume of in progress felony calls, by all means go there. Or you could just shoot yourself in the head with a nail gun while playing GTA on the X box. Same thing.

freakin whoa! AGENCY BASH! WOOOHOOO, I love honest truth. I was up there at the evergreen valley college in san Jose getting my POST re-certed when EPA officers came in and from what it sounded like was they were a "kick *** take names find then find them and kick their *** type of agency."

I take it you are in a much happier place mr District b13?

[GB0610]

A patrol partner of mine used to work there. He has no good things to say about them, and I can tell he is holding back on his real opinion.

[LAC_LE]

Originally Posted by District B 13

I used to work there. It is a piece of crap agency due to the mis-management of the "chief". He came over from Oakland PD with a huge chip on his shoulder, and is one of the most misguided idiots I've ever seen. I won't mention the racial aspect of his choices for Supervisor and above positions. It's interesting that since he arrived, the crime rate went up, however the press has hushed it up for years. The City Council wants him out and he is busy applying to other departments.

Don't waste your time going there. It is defunct, has a few good cops, and is the place you get out of as fast as possible. Go take a look at the "PD". It's a series of red tagged trailers with mold. And that was a "step up" from where we used to be, an old bank building.

However, if you really need to eat rusty razor blades, put up with idiots who don't know what the hell they are doing, but get a high volume of in progress felony calls, by all means go there. Or you could just shoot yourself in the head with a nail gun while playing GTA on the X box. Same thing.

Wow, I had no idea protecting the environment was so dangerous.

[0341]

I don't have any personal knowledge of EPA PD, so I won't comment on that organization. I will say a little about the general area they work in. It's a high risk area for LEOs with a lot of gang/narcotics activity. There are some specific streets/areas that are just unsafe for any LEO to be in. Officer safety is paramount, to the point that even with two or three officers on scene...you don't have enough manpower to protect yourself from angry locals. That's not to say the entire city is like that, just a few compartmentalized areas that stand out.

I used to own a business in Palo Alto, so I'm familiar with the area...including EPA. The current state of affairs there is a lot better than a decade ago, or even five years ago for that matter. Things are definitely improving in EPA, with more areas being cleaned up and businesses moving in. However, if you have a wife and children...it would be unwise to work as an LEO in EPA. If you're a single guy and really want to use your patrol rifle in the field, then you just might get that chance in EPA. If I worked there, my vest would have SAPI 7.62mm plates in it. I'm dead serious. Go to Google and input the following "East Palo Alto shooting", then review all the results. It's not the safest city in the area to live in.

[140grad]

I work for an agency in San Mateo County (same county as East Palo Alto) and commonly see there officers down at the county jail. They are always talking about how they are over worked, under staffed and under paid. East Palo Alto PD has three officers and a sergeant handling a huge amount of calls during a 12 hour night shift! This comes along with being the lowest paid law enforcement agency in San Mateo County, but having one of the highest numbers of calls for service.

If you are looking for a job in San Mateo County, consider looking at Redwood City PD, San Mateo PD and Daly City PD. These are all great agencies with a good amount of "variety" and better wages and benefits.

[0341]

Anybody catch the news about the 500 officer raids that went in the Bay Area? FBI, EPA PD, and Menlo Park PD were all involved. Targets were members of the "Taliban" street gang. Largest raid in the Bay Area in 30 years.