Sandy Shores Police Department

The Sandy Shores Police Department (SSPD), is the primarily law enforcement agency for the town of Sandy Shores. The SSPD is responsible for patrolling the town of Sandy Shores which is made up of houses, businesses and other structures. The SSPD can respond to the outskirts of town to assist if needed, but focuses on the population areas of the town primarily allowing other departments to assist with the outskirts of town such as as the Senora Valley Police Department.

## History

The Sandy Shores Police Department was founded on April 25, 1956, following a vote by the citizens of Sandy Shores and the Town Council to help address the rise in crime due to tourism to the town and the motel that was recently built which brought some rises in domestic violence and alcohol abuse. The SSPD started off as a one man department with the Chief of Police being the only officer on the department.

However the department began to gain more officers by 1960, due to more people moving to Sandy Shores and getting out of the military at the time. The SSPD however focused on addressing the rise in theft and drunk driving related crimes according to documents from the department. During the 1970's and 1980's, the SSPD combated the rise in drug crimes as the town began to deteriorate due to the developers moving on to projects that garnered them more money.

In 1990, the SSPD adopted the Colt Government Series 80 (M1911A1) .45 ACP as the standard sidearm, replacing the Smith & Wesson Model 19-4 .357 magnum revolver. The SSPD updated the handguns due to a rise in armed suspects and drug traffickers being arrested with better quality weapons, which caused the department to make the switch to a semi-automatic to avoid being outgunned as easily.

In 2002, the SSPD got the funding to gain a K-9 Officer to help with combating the rise in illegal drugs within the town and county as a whole. In 2004, the SSPD adopted the Glock Model 22 Gen 3 .40 S&W as the new department issued handgun, to replace the aging .45 ACP Colt Government Series 80 pistols that were still in use. In 2014, the SSPD adopted the Glock Model 22 Gen 4 as the upgraded department issued handgun for officers.

## Chief's of Police

* Dean Melvin (2018-Present)
* Chuck Malotte (2013-2018)
* Eddie Guerrero (2006-2013)
* Paul Davis (1991-2006)
* Felipe Renton (1984-1991)
* W.P Wendell (1971-1984)
* George Bunnell (1956-1971)

## Ranks

* Chief of Police
* Captain
* Lieutenant
* Sergeant
* Officer

## Equipment

The patrol vehicle favored by the SSPD is currently the Dodge Charger Pursuit and the Dodge Ram 1500, both of which are marked patrol vehicles. The SSPD also utilizes the Ford Crown Victoria as well for the Patrol Officers. The 2015-2020 Dodge Charger is Black with "Sandy Shores Police Department" on the side in white lettering and the 2007-2010 Dodge Ram 1500 has the same decal but is Galaxy Blue. The 2007-2011 Ford Crown Victoria is the old paint scheme which was a Tan with "Sandy Shores Police Department" on the side in black lettering.

All SSPD Officers currently are issued the Glock Model 22 Gen 4 .40 S&W handgun that is equipped with night sights and if officers want to they can mount a tactical flashlight to their sidearm. The SSPD also uses the Colt LE6920 5.56x45mm patrol rifle and the Mossberg M590A1 12 gauge pump shotgun.

However if officers wish to do so, they can carry a personally owned handgun as long as it is chambered in 9mm, .40 S&W or .45 ACP but do have to supply the ammo and also maintain the handgun as well.