about public Safety 

The Mendota Police Department is comprised of 19 full-time personnel and led by the Chief of Police.  Personnel include the Records Manager, Records Clerk/Receptionist, and two Community Service Officers (CSO) who are responsible for Code Enforcement and Animal Control.  The sworn staff consists of the Chief of Police, One Lieutenant, 13 Police Officers (four of which are Sergeants), and six volunteer Reserve Police Officers.

The City of Mendota is approximately 3 square miles in size with a population nearing 12, 000 residents.  The Police Department operates 12-hour patrol shifts.  The Patrol Supervisor oversees the activity and personnel assigned to each shift.

In a two-week period, patrol officers work seven twelve-hour shifts for a total 84 hours.

Patrol Officers are generalists and responsible for all investigations they encounter.  Each officer is responsible for managing every investigation from start through case filling with the District Attorney.

Homicides investigations are handled by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.

In July 2017 the Code Enforcement Unit was transferred to the Police Department from City Hall. In January 2019 the Animal Control Unit was transferred to the Police Department from the Public Works Department. These units are now consolidated and staffed by two CSOs.  Their variety of duties include but are not limited to; educating residents on the City Municipal Code, handle complaints and investigations of violations, issue citations for violations, collect stray dogs and house them in the city dog kennel, investigate animal complaints and dog bite incidents, network with the City Attorney, Fresno County Health Department, Fresno County Humane Society and City Veterinarian.

Located eight miles up the road on State Highway 33 is Mendota’s closest neighbor; the City of Firebaugh.  All 911 and non-emergency police calls for service are received and dispatched by the Firebaugh Police Department.  Mendota and Firebaugh Police Officers operate jointly on one dispatch radio channel.  Since the reestablishment of the Mendota Police Department, our agencies have benefited from a close working relationship.

The Mendota Police Department maintains a staff of six reserve police officers who volunteer their time to patrol the community a minimum of 16 hours per month.  Reserves are also eligible to be hired for special events.

Applicants for reserve police officer must possess current POST recognized documentation certifying them as eligible to be a reserve police officer.  They are also required to complete the same hiring process as a full-time sworn police officer.

Many reserve officers have advanced to police officer position within the department.

Police reports and other documents generated by personnel are maintained within the records unit.

Records personnel’s duties include but are not limited to; filling cases with the District Attorney’s Office, release of towed vehicles, providing copies of reports to authorized persons, store all archived documents.

Contact the police department for information on how to obtain copies of reports.

There are some legal restrictions. Not all reports will be released. 

The Mendota Police Department, in partnership with Scouting and the Mendota High School’s After School Program, provides an Explorer Program to teens and young adults, ages 14-20 years.

Police Explorers learn the operation of a police agency, laws, policy, tactics and the importance of community involvement and partnerships.  Each Explorer is encouraged to give back to their community and to make a positive difference. Explorers participate in community events and promote partnerships with law enforcement and the Explorer Post.  Explorers eventually earn the privilege to ride with officers on patrol and participate in field trips.

In June 2017 & 2018 members of the Explorer Post attended the National Explorer Conference and Competition in Las Vegas Nevada.  The Explorers competed in events that were physical and required tactical decision making. They honored their Advisers and Post by being awarded several trophies.

In 2019 the Post competed at the Central Valley Explorer Challenge in Manteca CA.  At this competition the Explorers continued to shine a bright light upon their Post and Community by receiving additional awards.

For additional information contact the Explorer Program Coordinator.

The Mendota Police Department provides Live Scan services to the public.  In most cases this electronic service replaces the finger print card identification process.  Ink fingerprints card services are still provided.

Contact the Police Department for information on Live Scan and Fingerprint services.

The Mendota Police Department continues to seek revenue to fund a fulltime Community Service Officer (CSO) dedicated to building partnerships and relationships within the community. This CSO will be directly involved in the department’s Crime Prevention Program and oversee Community Volunteers.  The volunteers will assist the CSO by participating in Crime Prevention efforts and the forming of Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch Groups.

The establishment of the Crime Prevention Program and selection of community volunteers is subject to the hiring of a Crime Prevention CSO.