The City's police department submitted an application for the 2016 James Q. Wilson award for Excellence in Community Policing late last fall. The award is presented by the Regional Community Policing Institute - California and sponsored by the California Office of the Attorney General and America Military University. The award recognizes California law enforcement agencies that successfully institutionalize the community policing philosophy. Each year, one agency is chosen as the recipient of the award and two others receive recognition as finalists. A neutral panel of experts make the selections and the award is officially presented at the California Chiefs of Police Conference in mid-March. 

Menlo Park’s application outlined the collective efforts accomplished in the area of community policing over the past few years. The submission boasted the City’s collaborative efforts with Belle Haven community residents, schools and businesses. The highlights of the department’s submission illustrated the endeavors in improving the Belle Haven community by:

• Incorporating the new service center on Hamilton Avenue 
• Receiving funding from Facebook for a community safety police officer focused on schools and businesses
• Establishing a Chief’s advisory group to identify crime and community issues
• Creating more community events and community engagement workshops