In the old days the primary focus of MPD patrol officers was the identification, apprehension, and incarceration of criminals.

                     Madera Police Department Circa 1950s (photo by Madera Tribune)

Today, community policing is not just about enforcing the law, but improving the way we live by working together.

                                                (Photo taken by Madera Tribune)

Community oriented policing is not a “catch” phrase, it’s a philosophy that the Madera Police Department is fully embracing.  It is a partnership between the community and the department starting with the patrol officer, who is the usually the first responder to a citizen’s call for service.  The City of Madera is divided into beats and there are officers assigned to the beats.  Each patrol officer patrols their respective beat, identifies problems that cause crime in the neighborhoods by not only observing situations but also by getting out of the vehicle and interacting with community members to find solutions to problems.  With Community Oriented Policing, patrol officers not only utilize available city-wide resources but also utilize the most powerful resource of all, community involvement. 

The goal of the Madera Police Department to reduce crime in the City of Madera starts with the patrol officer.  Cooperation and Partnerships between MPD, the patrol officer and the public help make Madera a safe and thriving community for the people of our city.