Citrus Heights police revive ‘POP’ Unit to focus on quality-of-life issues

By Sara Beth Williams–
The Citrus Heights Police Department announced last month the reestablishment of its Problem Oriented Policing (POP) unit.

The POP unit was carved out of the IMPACT Team, which typically handles special investigations, involving undercover work, narcotics, gangs, and retail theft operations. IMPACT detectives have received specialized training in various areas, including Problem-Oriented Policing, Community-Oriented Policing, Street Level Narcotic Enforcement, Violent Offender monitoring, and Fugitive apprehension.

Previously, the department had relied on the IMPACT team to also carry out Quality of Life tasks and enforcement, in partnership with homeless navigators and others, according to Citrus Heights Police Special Services Division Commander Kris Frey.

Last week, Frey took some time to explain the differences between each, why the department has chosen to reestablish the POP unit, and the future of Problem Oriented Policing in the community.

The IMPACT team merged with the POP unit in 2021 to “collaboratively address” crime and quality of life issues throughout the city, Frey said, adding that detectives would typically split their workday collaborating with the Beautification Crew and addressing street-level crimes and fugitive apprehension.

In January of this year, the department decided to reestablish the POP Unit, according to an update from Lt. Wesley Herman during a February Citrus Heights Seven-Eight-Nine neighborhood meeting. Frey added that the POP unit was reestablished in order to better serve the community and focus on quality-of-life issues.

What is Problem-Oriented Policing?

The core of Problem-Oriented Policing centers around solving specific crime problems, with the focus on crime reduction, the city’s website says.

“Although Problem-Oriented Policing is a key philosophy for both the IMPACT Team and the POP Unit, it is a commitment shared by all members of the police department,” Frey said.

Currently, the Problem Oriented Policing Unit consists of two detectives who focus on nuisance abatement, conducting investigations related to problem-oriented policing concerns, reviewing business licenses and special use permits, and collaborating with the Beautification Crew, Frey explained. The detectives also work closely with the city’s attorney’s office regarding chronic nuisance offenders and conduct Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design program evaluations on local businesses.

“Their main goal is to develop long-term solutions to issues that negatively impact the quality of life for residents and business owners, aligning with the department’s community-first initiatives,” Frey said.

Looking ahead

In the future, the Police Department envisions expanding the POP Unit’s staffing model to include four POP detectives instead of two, plus an additional POP community service officer, Frey said. As well, the POP Unit could undergo extra mediation training in the coming year.

In February, the Citrus Heights City Council directed city staff to pursue implementing a hybrid approach of utilizing POP Unit officers along with a third-party mediation program in order to offer residents mediation services for a trial period of one year.

POP Officers already play a “vital role” in resolving conflicts within the community by applying problem-solving strategies to “address underlying issues and promote cohesion,” Frey told the City Council during the Feb. 12 City Council meeting. Once a final program for mediation services is approved, POP officers will undergo extra mediation training, which will help officers provide more effective mediation services to residents who are in dispute with one another, according to the police department.

The drafted mediation services program proposed required some amendments based on City Council feedback and will be brought back to the council at a later date for final approval.

The city and police department have collaborated to help residents access POP unit officers more easily, with a dedicated phone number and website. Residents can also utilize the Seek Click Fix app to request service calls specifically regarding quality of life issues.