FAQs
Transparency is Our Mission
The Pleasanton Police Department continuously strives to be a progressive leader among law enforcement agencies. The City wants to ensure useful public information is accessible, available and comprehensible by the community. Access to operational and policy information is a priority as public trust is essential to good community policing strategies and maintaining accountability.
The Pleasanton Police Department is here to answer any and all questions you may have about policing in our community. Residents are encouraged to contact us to help you better understand what Pleasanton PD does for you. Please email your questions to our public outreach team and someone from the Pleasanton Police Department will respond in a timely manner.
Exceptional Needs Registry for IDD & Elderly Residents
The Exceptional Needs Registry serves as a valuable resource for our police department to support community members with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and/or the elderly. This tool grants officers swift access to vital information, enabling them to provide improved assistance in various situations, including cases involving individuals who are lost, found, or in need of immediate help.
Sign up for the Exceptional Needs Registry for IDD & Elderly Residents
Police Department
Does the Pleasanton Police Department own a tank or any other military equipment or weapons? Does the police department participate in the 1033 Program?
No, the Pleasanton Police Department does not own a military tank nor has the department purchased or been provided any excess equipment or weapons from the United States military.
The Law Enforcement Support Office is a division of the United States Logistics Agency that is responsible for operating the 1033 Program which transfers excess military equipment to law enforcement agencies. The Pleasanton Police Department is not a registered subscriber and has not, nor does not currently, participate in the 1033 Program.
The police department does own an armored rescue vehicle which is a standard Ford vehicle chassis equipped with armored plating. This vehicle allows officers to enter hazardous areas where gunfire may be present to rescue officers or residents who may be in potentially hazardous locations.
What does PPD do to engage and relate to the youth in our community?
Pleasanton Police Department is committed to building strong relationships with the youngest members of our community. Through programs such as DARE, Pop-Up Storytime, Teen Academy, Every 15 Minutes, Youth in Government Day and the Explorer Program, we maintain our connection to the youth in our community.
What programs or efforts are in place to increase community awareness and engagement?
The Pleasanton Police Department connects with the community through programs and events such as National Night Out, Neighborhood Watch, Cone with a Cop, Coffee with a Cop, Citizen’s Academy and station tours. It is important for police staff to stay in tune with our residents and businesses by providing the most up-to-date news, alerts and advisories through our social media platforms, AC Alerts and in-person conversations.
Why are police officers on school campuses?
Do officers receive Crisis Intervention Training?
Yes. 86% of PPD officers have attended the 40-hour Critical Incident Training course. The remaining 14% are new hires and will attend training as soon as classes become available. The goal is for officers to be CIT-certified within the first 18 months of being hired.
TOPICS INCLUDE: The below topics are taught by subject matter experts in their respective field:
| Post Traumatic Stress Disorder & Traumatic Brain Injury | Community Resources | Report Writing |
| Substance Use & Co-occurring | Protective Custody | Excited Delirium |
| Schizophrenia | De-escalation Skills | Suicide by Cop |
| Personality Disorders | De-Escalation Role Plays | Trauma Informed Care |
| Family Perspective (Nami) | Bi-polar Disorder | Youth in Crisis |
| Petition Law | Suicide | Recipient Rights |
| Autism | Officer Wellness | Medication and Side Effects |
Are PPD officers issued body worn cameras?
Yes, since September 2015 all PPD officers are issued body worn cameras.
What does it take to become a PPD officer?
Before becoming a Pleasanton police officer, applicants must complete an extensive and rigorous hiring and training process which can take 18 months to complete. The department carefully screens all qualified candidates and specifically looks for individuals who demonstrate a high degree of integrity, leadership, compassion and are of high moral character. Once hired, new recruits must successfully complete 1,064 hours of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)-certified training including principled policing, criminal law and patrol techniques.
What has PPD done to educate officers about implicit bias?
Pleasanton Police Department makes continuous training a priority. Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) requires every officer complete 24 hours of training every two years. Pleasanton police officers exceed POST standards and complete a minimum of 120 hours of training (every two years). Between 2017-2019, Pleasanton police officers received updated training in procedural justice, racial and cultural diversity/principled policing and verbal and reality-based de-escalation techniques.
When are body cameras activated? Are they automatically activated? How long is body worn camera footage maintained?
Officers are responsible for activating their body worn cameras prior to making contact with members of the public, or as soon as reasonably possible under the circumstances in a number of incidents as identified in the Body Worn Camera policy.
Future contracts for body worn camera systems will allow for automatic activation in certain circumstances. Recorded data including video and audio recorded by a body worn camera system shall be retained minimally for detentions and searches, misdemeanor and felony cases, incidents and for pending reviews as outlined in the policy.
Is the PPD annual budget made available to the public?
Yes. The City’s Two-Year Operating Budget can be found here.
How do tasers work? Is the intent to cause pain, or give officers time to restrain an individual? After being tased, are there lingering symptoms?
What are some of Pleasanton Police Department’s recruitment policies? How is the department trying to achieve more diversity?
Do Pleasanton police officers receive therapy to manage the job stress and give them tools to help in intense situations?
Animal Control
Should I call the police department if my pet is ill or injured?
How do I report a dead animal?
Dead animals found in a roadway, park or any public place should be reported to the Pleasanton Police Department at (925) 931-5100. If your pet dies, contact your veterinarian to arrange services at your expense or take it to the East County Animal Shelter for disposal.
What is the ‘pooper scooper’ law?
Do I have to report an animal bite?
Yes. State law (Title 17.CCR 2606) requires reporting domestic animal bites to the police department. The biting animal must be quarantined for 10 days and a report must be given to the Alameda County Vector Control Services within 48 hours to monitor the animal for rabies.
If you or your pets are bitten by a wild animal, containment and rabies testing of the wild animal is recommended. Since rabies testing involves examination of the biting animal’s brain, the wild animal must be euthanized and refrigerated (not frozen) prior to testing. If the biting animal cannot be located, you will be referred to your doctor and you may need post-exposure rabies shots.
Pets bitten by wild animals may need to be quarantined if the wild animal cannot be located for rabies testing. If your pet is currently vaccinated against rabies the quarantine period is one month. If your dog/cat is not currently vaccinated against rabies, the quarantine is six months.
What happens in an animal quarantine?
If an animal needs to be quarantined they must be properly confined in a place where its health can be monitored. This quarantine may be at the animal’s home, vet hospital, or the East County Animal Shelter as determined by the Animal Services Officer. This decision is based on several details, including whether the animal is vaccinated against rabies and if the animal can be securely confined at home.
Why should I care about rabies?
How does the Pleasanton Police Department handle barking dogs?
Dog barking is the most common complaint received by Animal Services (Animal Control). The complaints are first addressed by issuing a Courtesy Citation to the dog owner. It’s helpful if the officer can speak with the reporting person so they can ask specific questions. The identity of the reporting person is kept confidential in this process. For first time complaints we are simply educating the dog owner and making them aware of the barking problem. The officer will give the dog owner information on dog barking.
If the complaint is not resolved with Courtesy Citations and education, a citizen may ask that an Administrative Citation be given to the dog owner. This citation is a form of citizen’s arrest and requires the signature of the person filing the complaint. This may require the person who filed the complaint to appear before a hearing officer to support the complaint.
Administrative Citations carry a fine ($100 for a first offense to $750 for fourth and subsequent offenses) that must be paid within 30 days from the date of the citation. The dog owner has a right to contest the citation by requesting a hearing. To request a hearing the dog owner must complete a Request for Hearing Form available at the City Clerk’s office.
I found a stray animal, what should I do?
Stray or lost/found animals should be reported to the Pleasanton Police Department at (925) 931-5100. An officer will respond to evaluate the animal and the situation. If we can determine ownership we will reach out to the owner in an effort to return the animal. Other animals will be taken to the East County Animal Shelter.
What can I do about feral cats?
The Pleasanton Police Department does not offer trapping services for feral cats (or other problematic wildlife). Humane traps can be purchased or rented through a variety of sources. Trapped cats must be taken to the East County Animal Shelter. When attempting to trap a feral cat please follow these recommendations:
- Do not set the trap at night. You are much for likely to trap wildlife if you attempt to trap at night. Wildlife cannot be trapped without a tag number issued by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- Cover the trap with a blanket or towel to help keep the cat calm. Ensure the trap is protected from the elements.
- The trap may only be set on your personal property or with written consent of the property owner and must be checked/emptied a minimum of once daily.
- Tell your neighbors that you intend to trap cats so they can keep their cats inside and are wearing proper identification.
Do I have to license my dog?
Yes. The Pleasanton Municipal Code (PMC) states that any person having a dog over four months old shall obtain a dog license for each dog. If the dog is brought into the area after it is four months old, the owner has 10 days to get the license and must continue to be licensed as long as ownership continues (on an annual basis).
Please refer to How to Apply for a Dog License.
What is the leash law in Pleasanton?
What can I do about wildlife in my backyard?
Compliments & Concerns
Who do I contact to make a compliment or commendation?
Where do I mail my compliment or commendation?
Police Chief
Pleasanton Police Department
P.O. Box 909
Pleasanton, CA 94566
What is a Concern or Criticism?
What is a Procedural Question?
What is a Complaint?
Who may make a Complaint?
How do I make a Complaint?
Concerns, Criticisms and/or Complaints may be made verbally or in writing at any time of day or night to any police supervisory personnel. Usually, a detailed explanation of the situation in person, by telephone, or by mail is all that is needed to initiate a review or investigation of the matter. If you call or come to the Police Department, you will be referred to the on-duty Watch Commander or the on-duty supervisor.
Alternatively, you can obtain and/or drop off complaint forms with the City of Pleasanton Human Resources Department located at 123 Main St. Pleasanton, CA 94566. (Compliments and complaints received by Human Resources will be placed in a sealed envelope and will be forwarded directly to the Police Chief).
Who do I contact to make a complaint?
Where do I mail my complaint?
Police Chief
Pleasanton Police Department
P.O. Box 909
Pleasanton, CA 94566
Will I have to testify?
A complainant generally does not have to testify during formal hearings.
An exception to this is if you inform us of actions taken by employees that are criminal in nature and the complaint is sustained. There is a chance that your testimony would be used in a court proceeding against the employee, if the District Attorney chooses to file a criminal complaint.
Additionally, employees are entitled to an administrative appeal to any imposed disciplinary action. If your complaint is sustained and the employee is disciplined and then appeals the discipline, you may be contacted and requested to testify in an administrative hearing before an arbitrator.
Who investigates police department employee misconduct?
Per California Penal Code Section 832.5 (a): “Each department or agency in this State which employs peace officers shall establish a procedure to investigate citizens’ complaints against the personnel of such departments or agencies and shall make a written description of the procedure available to the public.”
Our supervisory and management personnel are committed to ensuring complete, fair and impartial investigations of all citizens’ complaints. The investigation of all citizen complaints is strictly regulated by the California Government Code and police department policy. Additionally, all administrative investigations are reviewed by the appropriate Division Commander and by the Police Chief to ensure a thorough and unbiased investigation was completed.
What should I expect when I file a complaint?
The person assigned to investigate your complaint will ask you to provide as much information as possible regarding the incident. If you were involved in or witnessed the incident, it is extremely important to the investigation that a statement be obtained from you. From your statement, a Citizen Complaint Contact form may be completed.
Depending upon the circumstances of your complaint, it may be investigated in one of two ways. It will either be assigned to the employee’s supervisor for inquiry or to the appropriate manager, with oversight of the employee and his supervisor, for investigation. Each allegation is examined on its own merits.
Administrative and criminal investigations resulting from a complaint will require investigators to make an effort to contact all available witnesses (including police officers), examine any relevant physical evidence and gather all information pertinent to each allegation made in the complaint.
Despite our best efforts to make Administrative Investigations our top priority, it can take up to a year to complete an investigation based upon the complexity of issues being investigated. Though, typically the majority of our administrative investigations are completed within a two month period.
Upon completion of the Administrative Investigation a finding will be rendered for each allegation. There are four possible findings:
- SUSTAINED: The investigation disclosed enough evidence to clearly prove the allegation.
- NOT SUSTAINED: The investigation failed to reveal enough evidence to clearly prove the allegation.
- EXONERATED: The act which provided the basis for the complaint did occur; however. the investigation revealed the act was justified, lawful and proper.
- UNFOUNDED: The investigation has produced sufficient evidence to prove that the acts alleged did not occur. This finding shall also apply when individual personnel names in the complaint were not involved in an act that did occur.
You will be notified of the findings for each allegation in writing at the conclusion of the investigation.
When a finding of SUSTAINED is determined, corrective action will be taken by the department. Discipline may include counseling, training and action up to and including termination. If your complaint is sustained and punitive discipline is imposed, the employee has appeal rights. Therefore, you may be required to testify at one or more administrative proceedings.
Police General
Do I need a permit for my alarm system?
I need the police department to sign my building permit, who do I contact?
What is a Vacation Check?
While you are away from your home, a Pleasanton Police Department employee (Police Officer, Community Service Officer, or Volunteer) will check on your home. This is done when calls for service and report writing allow and is free of charge. To sign up, call (925) 931-5100 before you leave.