Moraga
California
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Moraga Police Department
History
The Town of Moraga incorporated in November of 1974 and originally contracted for police services with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. The contracted police services, called the Lafayette-Moraga Police Department was a joint venture with the City of Lafayette.
In 1979, the Town of Moraga decided to form its own police department comprised of 10 Officers. The first Chief, Larry Olsen, who was the full time Chief of East Bay Regional Parks Police Department, was only part time. The Moraga Police Department was officially founded December 17, 1979, spent two weeks in orientation before patrolling the streets January 1, 1980 at midnight.
Within a few years Moraga had its own fulltime Chief of Police, Tom Simms, and the department expanded from 10 sworn Officers to its staff today of 13 sworn, 5 reserve, and 1 civilian. The department started as a generalist only police department, and has evolved to include many different specialties including a detective and traffic. Although the department includes these specialties, the department still holds true to some of its founding generalist principles with each officer handling his or her own case from start to finish with the exception of major cases handled by the detective.
The look of the department has changed over the years. The original uniform was shared with EBRPD, being composed of a tan top with green pants, and did not change to LAPD blue until the late 80’s. During the early 90's there was even a period where white shirts were the uniform of the day. The vehicle fleet has also changed, starting with just 4 high profile cars striped with yellow and black to today’s fleet of high and low profile cars, along with street and off road motorcycles and a command unit.
While the size and look of the department has evolved over the years, the focus on community policing and providing thorough and timely service to the community has not. The Moraga Police Department takes pride in working with the community to keep Moraga a safe and enjoyable community to visit and reside in.
The Town of Moraga incorporated in November of 1974 and originally contracted for police services with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. The contracted police services, called the Lafayette-Moraga Police Department was a joint venture with the City of Lafayette.
In 1979, the Town of Moraga decided to form its own police department comprised of 10 Officers. The first Chief, Larry Olsen, who was the full time Chief of East Bay Regional Parks Police Department, was only part time. The Moraga Police Department was officially founded December 17, 1979, spent two weeks in orientation before patrolling the streets January 1, 1980 at midnight.
Within a few years Moraga had its own fulltime Chief of Police, Tom Simms, and the department expanded from 10 sworn Officers to its staff today of 13 sworn, 5 reserve, and 1 civilian. The department started as a generalist only police department, and has evolved to include many different specialties including a detective and traffic. Although the department includes these specialties, the department still holds true to some of its founding generalist principles with each officer handling his or her own case from start to finish with the exception of major cases handled by the detective.
The look of the department has changed over the years. The original uniform was shared with EBRPD, being composed of a tan top with green pants, and did not change to LAPD blue until the late 80’s. During the early 90's there was even a period where white shirts were the uniform of the day. The vehicle fleet has also changed, starting with just 4 high profile cars striped with yellow and black to today’s fleet of high and low profile cars, along with street and off road motorcycles and a command unit.
While the size and look of the department has evolved over the years, the focus on community policing and providing thorough and timely service to the community has not. The Moraga Police Department takes pride in working with the community to keep Moraga a safe and enjoyable community to visit and reside in.