Over the course of his 23 years with the San Diego Police Department, Capt. Al Guaderrama has had more than a few chances to become what he describes as “well-rounded.” He gained experience in both the central and mid-city divisions, beating the streets in a wide range of areas from Barrio Logan to the College Area, worked hard on recruitment during a time of record attrition within the SDPD, and became a captain at the Southern Division 18 months ago. Now at the helm of the Northern Division as of Jan. 8, Guaderrama describes the difference between his new post and his most recent one at Southern Division as that of “night and day.” In line with a citywide policy of community-oriented policing, he emphasizes the value of community input as a way to prioritize the department’s objectives. “I want to focus on the quality of life in the area,” he said. “We want to establish a few goals, and everyone in the community should be involved in establishing those. Everyone should know what they are.” Community-oriented policing, Guaderrama says, sets the SDPD apart from other cities. He plans to implement the policy in his position at Northern Division by providing resources and information to the community that will help stem crime, and by developing a system of communication with residents to confront their most pressing concerns. “It really should be a joint partnership between the police department and community members,” he said. One way the department attempts to address the community’s needs is through the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol (RSVP). Consisting of a corps of volunteer retirees from all walks of life, the patrol offers services designed to address citizens’ concerns without tying up valuable and limited police resources. The volunteers can, for example, check in on elderly residents on a regular basis or keep an eye on the house of a resident who’s on vacation. Volunteers go through two weeks of training for the program, and a new class started Jan. 24. In addition to his varied experience within the department, Guaderrama also recently completed the FBI National Academy training in Washington D.C. An 11-week program, the academy brings together law enforcement worldwide for what Guaderrama calls “cutting-edge” training. He said the most valuable aspect was the chance to network and gain insight into a wide range of policing strategies, while living in close quarters. Guaderrama resided in a small dorm with a roommate, sharing a bathroom with three other men. “I was glad to be home, that’s for sure,” he said with a smile. As one of his first efforts to bridge the gap between the community and police, Guaderrama plans to pick up where his predecessor, Capt. Chris Ball, left off by holding Captain’s Advisory Board meetings. Held at the station’s headquarters at 4275 Eastgate Mall, community members can weigh in on issues they would most like to see addressed.
