As a Law Enforcement Officer - Garden Grove

The Records Division and Front Desk fall under the
supervision of the Department’s Records Manager, as
part of the Support Services Bureau. The Records Division
serves as the central repository for all police incidents.
Records Specialists maintain all police reports, traffic
accident reports and citations, and provide support to
the officers, other law enforcement agencies, courts and
prosecutors.
Records Specialists are required to operate a variety
of computer systems, including internal records
management systems, Dispatch CAD, and the California
Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS)
databases. In 2010, the Records Division processed over
18,300 arrest and crime reports and 14,000 citations.
Records Specialists performed 450 searches of female
arrestees when female police officers were not available.
They also cared for infants and young children under
temporary care of the Police Department, helping to
minimize any trauma during very difficult times.
The Division’s Warrants Specialist is responsible for
maintaining the status of all warrants issued by the Garden
Grove Police Department, ensuring due-diligence in their
service. This position is also responsible for processing
certain permits required for select occupations, and
processing narcotics and arson registrants. The Court
Liaison is an integral part of the Records Division. With the
assistance of a part-time Specialist, the Court Liaison works
directly with Police Investigators, District Attorneys and
other Orange County Court personnel. The Court Liaison
processes subpoenas, ensures that all cases are filed within
stringent timelines, contacts any police employee required
to report to court, and monitors the status and disposition
of court cases.
In 2010, Records Supervisor Debra Nichols and part-time
Records Specialist Pat Garcia were recognized by their
peers as Civilian Employees of the Quarter, and part-time
Records Specialist Rory Janocha was recognized for her
Commitment to Service. Records Supervisor Nichols was
further acknowledged when she was named the 2010
Civilian Employee of the Year.
Oftentimes, the first and only contact a citizen has with the
Garden Grove Police Department is the Front Desk Unit
staff. The Front Desk is staffed by three Master Reserve
Officers, two full-time Community Service Officers (CSOs),
one part-time CSO and several cadets, who regularly
assist the Records Warrant Specialist in registering and
fingerprinting all convicted sex, arson and drug offenders.
Being a very diverse group, many at the Front Desk are
able to assist members of the department with translation,
as well as citizens coming to the Front Desk.
As a result of all of the services provided by the Front Desk
staff (such as taking crime reports, processing impounded
vehicle release forms, and taking fingerprints, to name a
few), the Department is able to fulfill its commitment to
keeping sworn personnel patrolling city neighborhoods
and business areas.