24 hours a day, 7 days a week, uniformed Belmont Police Officers patrol the streets of Belmont.  These men and women proudly protect our community by proactively seeking out criminal activity and responding to calls for service from our citizens. 

In addition, the Belmont Police Department embraces the Problem Oriented Policing (P.O.P.) philosophy.  Officers are assigned to P.O.P. Teams which are each led by a Police Sergeant.  These P.O.P. Teams work closely with the community and schools to address reoccurring challenges as well as quality of life issues.

Belmont Police P.O.P. Teams are available to meet with neighborhood associations, schools and service organizations. By working in partnership with the community, it is our hope that we may reduce crime, and improve the quality of life for our citizens.

The duties of the Belmont Police Department Traffic Unit include the investigation of traffic collisions and enforcement of traffic laws in order to reduce traffic collisions. These efforts result in safer roadways and streets, fewer fatalities and injuries, reduce property damage and facilitate the safe and expedient flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

The Traffic Unit is comprised of the Traffic Sergeant, two traffic/motorcycle officers and three Community Service Officers. The Traffic Unit concentrates its enforcement efforts in the areas with the highest collision rates within the city of Belmont. These efforts have proven to be effective in reducing the numbers of collisions in the City. The Traffic Unit cooperates with the traffic engineer and other departments in developing ways and means to improve traffic conditions and traffic safety.

Speed, one of the leading causes of collisions, is enforced through the use of laser devices. Each motorcycle officer is equipped with one of these devices.  Mobile speed display radar trailers are rotated throughout the City to inform motorists of their speeds and serve as an educational tool.

Click here for Traffic resources.

The Belmont Police Department has a proud history of utilizing well trained police dogs, going back over 40 years.  Dogs used by the Belmont Police Department go through a battery of tests and hundreds of hours of training before being certified for use in the field. The dogs and handlers also participate in intensive on-going training to maintain and enhance the skills of the team.

Handlers typically deploy their canine partners in situations where a suspect is fleeing or in cases where officers believe a suspect may be hiding inside a building or home. The dog's speed, agility, and heightened sense of smell make them a powerful tool in apprehending dangerous criminals, but can also be used to locate missing persons.  Belmont Police Canines are also trained to track persons, locate discarded or hidden objects and locate narcotics.

The Belmont Police Department Canine Unit is supported by public donations and is available for demonstrations.  Please contact the Police Department if you would like to get more information at 650-595-7400.

Belmont Police Canine Teams through the years:

• Ofc. James Goulart & “Quito” 1970-1976
• Ofc. Fred Starkey & "Jake" 1979-1983
• Ofc. Mike Storey & “Khan” 1977-1983
• Ofc Mike Speak & "Koda" 1984-1992
• Cpl. Pat Halleran & "Luger” 1984-1992
• Cpl. Ben Tolero & “Chefo” 1996-2000
• Sgt. John Conforti & “Henk “ 1999-2002
• Ofc. Rich Wheaton & “Nelson” 2001-2004
• Ofc. Mike Chicas &"Nitro" 2004-2012
• Ofc. Dan Friedman & “Kilo” 2013-2018
• Ofc. Adam Baggetta & "Bandit" 2020- present

The Investigations Bureau is responsible for conducting investigations into major crimes, following-up on reports taken by patrol officers and preparing cases for prosecution.  The detectives also work to proactively address crime trends throughout the city and disseminate information to patrol staff.  The Investigations Bureau works collaboratively with officers and investigators from law enforcement agencies throughout the Bay Area to coordinate cases, share information regarding crimes and trends that affect all of San Mateo County and the Bay Area.  The Investigations Bureau is staffed by a Detective Sergeant and two Detectives.

The Youth Services Unit works within the Investigations Bureau to identify youth, whom are at risk, provide outreach and education to the youth of Belmont and investigate crimes committed by juveniles.  Youth Services is staffed by two School Resource Officers (SROs). One School Resource Officer is assigned to Carlmont High School and Notre Dame High School.  The second School Resource Officer is assigned to Ralston Middle School and all elementary schools in the city.  Our School Resource Officers work collaboratively with parents, faculty and students to improve the quality of life and safety in and around our schools. The Youth Services Unit also teaches a curriculum to all of the fifth grade students in Belmont known as Safety Awareness For Everyone, or the S.A.F.E. Program.  This program, developed by former School Resource Officer Milana Jordan, concentrates on youth safety and awareness and helps prepare the children in our community for life as a teenager and some of the challenges they may face.

The primary function of our Dispatch unit is to answer emergency and non-emergency calls and promptly provide officers with the necessary information to get our citizens help. Dispatching can be very complex and requires significant multi-tasking skills. On any given day, Belmont Police dispatchers will handle dozens of service calls while communicating with police officers on the radio system. Without our dispatchers, Belmont police officers would not be able to provide adequate police services to our community.

The Records unit is responsible for answering non-emergency calls for service, processing subpoenas, providing the courts with records information and other clerical duties necessary to the department. When citizens come to the lobby of the police department, our Records staff will likely be their first point of contact. Officers rely on Records staff to process reports and assist them with day-to-day tasks.

The goal of the Code Enforcement Unit is to protect the health, safety and welfare of our residents, homes and businesses as well as to maintain the aesthetic quality of the community.  Code enforcement is doing its part to preserve the beauty and livability of the community. Click here for Code Enforcement resources.

• Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team is comprised of sergeants and deputies from the Sheriff's Office and operators from the Belmont and East Palo Alto police departments. The SWAT Team's mission is to provide specialized support in situations posing a threat to the life and safety of the citizens of San Mateo County. Many of these situations involve law enforcement tactical operations in a high-risk environment.
  
  
• Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU) The Crisis Negotiation Unit is an on-call unit requiring quick response to situations where SWAT/CNU is needed. Members of the unit possess excellent communication skills and have the ability to work under stressful conditions in a team environment. Prior to appointment, members attend a basic forty hour course in hostage negotiations where practical applications as well as the psychology behind hostage taking are taught. In addition CNU members are Crisis Intervention Trained trained which helps when dealing with those with mental illnesses. The unit is activated throughout the county and remains on scene until a successful conclusion is reached.

The Police Volunteer Program allows members of the Belmont community to assist the Belmont Police Department in a number of ways.  Started in 2002, the Volunteer Program strives to utilize the diverse backgrounds and experiences of residents to assist the department in carrying out a variety of activities.  In its first full year, 2003, volunteers donated over 3,000 hours to the department.  Since that time, volunteers have provided invaluable support to the Patrol, Investigations and Support Services units.  Volunteers can function in nearly any area of the department where their skills can complement the goals of the department. 

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or you would like further information about the Volunteer Program, please contact the program sergeant at (650) 595-7400.