Resources
West Covina Police Department
West Covina Department Policy
The West Covina Police Department Policy Manual is available on this website for public review. Please note that the West Covina Police Department Policy Manual is a living document subject to regular revisions and updates based on legislative changes, case law, and identified best practices. The online version of this manual, posted on the West Covina Police Department website, will be reviewed annually to ensure that any revisions/updates from the previous year are included.
Please note, some items have been redacted because they are either privileged, confidential, and/or otherwise exempt from disclosure under provisions of the Public Records Act or pursuant to applicable federal or state law, per California Government Code Sections 7927.200, 7927.700, 7923.600, 7923.625, 7927.705, and 7922, 7922.540(a).
The vast majority of the agency’s training is approved by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), which maintains training outlines for all law enforcement agencies in the State of California. Additional information is available on the POST website.
Military Equipment
As of January 1, 2022, Government Codes § § 7070, 7071, and 7072 require each law enforcement agency’s governing body to adopt a written military equipment use policy by ordinance in a public forum to continue using acquired military equipment. The West Covina Police Department is providing the following information to our community:
- Establish a concern or complaint process. The West Covina Police Department has always had a means for the public to submit complaints online or in person. Further information is available in the West Covina Police Department Policy Manual, specifically the Personnel Complaints Section.
- Members of the public may also register complaints or concerns or submit questions about the use of specific types of military equipment by contacting the Military Equipment Coordinator via email. These complaints, concerns, or questions will be promptly responded to absent extraordinary circumstances.
- Prepare an Annual Report to include the use of military equipment, any complaints received, any internal audits or other information about violations of the West Covina Police Department Military Policy §715, the cost of such use, and other similar information. This webpage will be utilized for the distribution of any updates to the above materials, as well as the Military Equipment Annual Report.
The current policy was approved by City Council under Ordinance 2516 on September 5, 2023.
Annual Report
The Annual Report was provided to the City Council at the May 6, 2025, council meeting. The West Covina Police Department held a community meeting on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, to discuss the 2024 Annual Report.
The Annual Report was provided to the City Council at the October 15, 2024, council meeting. The West Covina Police Department held a community meeting on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, to discuss the 2023 Annual Report.
The Annual Report was provided to the City Council at the June 20, 2023, council meeting. The West Covina Police Department held a community meeting on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, to discuss the 2022 Annual Report.
Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR)
The West Covina Police Department uses 40 automated license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras in strategic locations throughout our community to help solve and reduce crime. The cameras are built by Flock Safety, a public safety technology company that helps neighborhoods, communities, and law enforcement work together to fight crime.
Flock Safety ALPR cameras help law enforcement investigate crime by providing objective evidence. They capture license plates and vehicle characteristics, not people or faces.
To proactively prevent crime in West Covina, the cameras send a real-time alert to law enforcement when a stolen car or a known wanted suspect from a state or national crime database enters our jurisdiction. They can also send alerts if a vehicle associated with a missing person is detected.
The West Covina Department will maintain an updated policy around the usage of the ALPR system. Each search requires a justification, and the data is never sold or shared with third parties. The cameras will be used to solve and reduce property and violent crime, and are not intended for minor traffic or parking violations.
Additional details can be located on our Flock Safety Transparency Portal
Hate Crime Policy and Brochure (AB 449)
California Penal Code 422.92(a) requires every local law enforcement agency in California to provide a brochure on hate crimes to victims and the public.
The West Covina Police Department utilizes the brochure provided by the California Department of Justice entitled “Hate Crimes and Incidents: How to Report Hate Crimes and Incidents and Get Help.” If you are a victim of a hate crime or would like more information on reporting hate crimes, please refer to the brochure linked below.