Laguna Niguel Police Services reports volunteer hours, training gains in winter quarter

The Laguna Niguel City Council on March 4 heard the Laguna Niguel Police Services Winter Quarter Report, which detailed new deputy assignments, training completions and the scale of volunteer support that city police rely on, Chief Flores said.

The report highlighted why the information matters: the department’s operations depend heavily on volunteers and ongoing training, officials said, and the quarter’s figures show how those resources contributed to public safety and community programs.

Chief Flores told the council that five deputies recently transferred into Laguna Niguel Police Services from Orange County Sheriff’s Department custody operations and have completed their field training programs. The department also emphasized training milestones: a crime-prevention specialist completed a 40-hour Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) course, and the senior emergency management programs coordinator completed about 25 hours of FEMA emergency-management training.

The presentation said the city’s volunteers contributed 6,828 hours in 2024. Police Services described volunteer-supported patrols as high-visibility efforts that each covered roughly 8,000 patrol miles, and highlighted specific volunteer awards: Michael Weiner was named PAC Volunteer of the Year for leadership of the bicycle patrol team; David Goran was honored for a decade of emergency-communications work. The business enhancement team has connected with about 446 local businesses, and staff recorded roughly 1,400 hours assisting about 2,300 visitors at the police services front desk, the report said.

Chief Flores noted that the YANA program presentation to other cities generated interest from neighboring jurisdictions and that Laguna Niguel’s approach to certain community programs is being considered as a model elsewhere. He also announced that the city’s Citizens Academy begins the following day; the program’s 27th class is scheduled as an 11-week course that offers residents a behind-the-scenes look at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and related operations.

Deputy Lindsey Rhodes, recognized earlier in the meeting for receiving the county’s “Heroes with Heart” award, addressed the council and thanked volunteers and staff for their support. "You guys do tremendous work and truly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you," Rhodes said.

The report closed with council members praising the department’s community engagement and the strategic-plan workshop held earlier that week, and officials said they expect to return with related items for future meetings.