By Amelia Anderson The Chula Vista Police Department, commonly known as CVPD, is the municipal law-enforcement agency serving Chula Vista, California. It responds to emergencies, investigates crimes, enforces traffic laws and provides specialized services involving patrol, violent crime, property crime, family protection, narcotics, traffic enforcement, forensic services, community policing and police technology.
CVPD is led by Police Chief Roxana Kennedy and has more than 425 sworn officers and professional staff. The department serves a city of more than 278,000 residents and operates from its headquarters on Fourth Avenue.
Residents should call 911 for emergencies and crimes in progress. For non-emergency police assistance, the department’s dispatch number is 619-691-5151.
Chula Vista Police Department Quick Information
| Information | Details |
| Official name | Chula Vista Police Department |
| Common abbreviation | CVPD |
| Police chief | Roxana Kennedy |
| Headquarters | 315 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910 |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| Non-emergency number | 619-691-5151 |
| Media Relations | 619-691-5111 |
| Community Patrol | 619-691-5230 |
| Police Support Services | 619-691-5137 |
| Professional Standards Unit | 619-691-5217 |
| Evidence Control | 619-691-5131 / 619-691-5249 |
| Current staffing | More than 425 sworn and professional staff |
| Major divisions | Patrol Operations, Investigations, Community Engagement, Support Operations, Administrative Services |
| County | San Diego County |
| City jail status | Temporary holding and booking facility only |
Chula Vista Police Department Address
Chula Vista Police Department headquarters is located at: 315 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California 91910
The police lobby is generally open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For non-emergency police assistance, call: 619-691-5151
Call 911 when a crime is happening, someone is in immediate danger, a weapon is involved, a serious collision has occurred or urgent police, fire or medical assistance is needed.
Important Chula Vista Police Phone Numbers
| Police service | Phone number |
| Emergency assistance | 911 |
| Non-emergency dispatch | 619-691-5151 |
| Media Relations | 619-691-5111 |
| Community Patrol | 619-691-5230 |
| Community Policing Unit | 619-409-3887 |
| School Resource Unit | 619-691-5124 |
| Professional Standards Unit | 619-691-5217 |
| Police Support Services | 619-691-5137 |
| Property Crimes Unit | 619-691-5129 |
| Crimes of Violence Unit | 619-691-5202 |
| Evidence Control | 619-691-5131 / 619-691-5249 |
New incidents requiring an officer should normally be reported through 911 or the non-emergency dispatch line rather than a specialized unit.
Chula Vista Police Patrol Operations
The Patrol Operations Division provides uniformed police service throughout Chula Vista 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Patrol officers respond to emergency calls, non-emergency incidents and officer-observed activity across the city.
Typical patrol duties include:
- Responding to 911 calls
- Conducting preliminary criminal investigations
- Handling disturbances and suspicious activity
- Making arrests
- Responding to property and violent crimes
- Traffic enforcement
- Welfare checks
- Neighborhood patrol
The division also includes the Field Training Unit, which oversees newly hired officers during their initial field-training period.
Chula Vista Police Department Divisions
CVPD’s current command structure includes several major operational and support divisions:
- Patrol Operations
- Investigations
- Community Engagement
- Support Operations
- Administrative Services
The department also has units responsible for strategic operations, crime and intelligence analysis, police technology, public information and other specialized functions.
Investigations Division
The Investigations Division consists of Criminal Investigations, Special Operations and Forensic Services.
The Crimes of Violence Unit investigates serious offenses such as homicide, kidnapping, robbery, assault, criminal threats, gang-related crimes, death investigations and missing-person cases.
The Family Protection Unit handles domestic violence, sexual assault, crimes against children, physical elder abuse and related cases.
The Property Crimes Unit investigates residential and commercial burglary, motor vehicle theft, fraud, forgery, arson and computer or internet-related theft and fraud.
Special Investigations and Narcotics
The Special Investigations Unit handles intelligence, narcotics, vice, police-regulated businesses and certain sensitive investigations. It also coordinates with local, state and federal law-enforcement partners.
The Narcotic Enforcement Team focuses on street-level and mid-level drug investigations in Chula Vista and surrounding areas. The team also evaluates citizen complaints about suspected narcotics activity.
Forensic Services and Evidence Control
CVPD’s Forensic Services includes crime-scene and latent-print functions. Forensic specialists locate, document and collect evidence at major crime scenes and process submitted evidence for examinations such as fingerprinting and detailed photography.
Evidence Control stores and manages property and evidence impounded by officers, forensic specialists and community service officers.
For Evidence Control, call:
619-691-5131 or 619-691-5249
Property connected to an active investigation may require authorization before it can be released.
Community Engagement Division
The Community Engagement Division includes several units focused on crime prevention, neighborhood problems and community partnerships.
The Community Policing Unit oversees programs including the Homeless Outreach Team, Community Relations Team and Community Liaison Officers. It also works on recurring crime patterns and quality-of-life concerns.
Other community-oriented functions include:
- School Resource Officers
- Street Team and Gang Suppression
- Senior Volunteer Patrol
- Traffic Unit
- Special Events
- Community outreach programs
CVPD also operates a drone program to provide airborne support for police operations.
Traffic and School Resource Services
The Traffic Unit investigates collisions, follows up on hit-and-run cases and enforces California traffic laws and city traffic regulations.
School Resource Officers are assigned to schools in Chula Vista to support campus safety, work with school staff and students and respond to law-enforcement issues affecting the school environment.
Support Operations and Professional Standards
The Support Operations Division includes functions that help maintain department accountability and daily operations.
The Professional Standards Unit conducts administrative investigations, assists with employee background investigations and reviews compliance with department policies.
Its telephone number is:
619-691-5217
Police Support Services maintains and processes police documents and provides records-related assistance to the public, prosecutors and other law-enforcement agencies.
What County Is Chula Vista Police Department In?
Chula Vista is located in San Diego County, California.
CVPD provides municipal police services within the City of Chula Vista. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office is a separate law-enforcement agency that operates county detention facilities and provides law-enforcement services in areas under its jurisdiction.
The California Highway Patrol generally handles incidents on state freeways. The exact location of an incident determines which agency has primary jurisdiction.
How to File a Chula Vista Police Report Online
CVPD provides online reporting for qualifying non-emergency incidents.
The online system can be used when:
- The incident is not an emergency.
- It occurred within Chula Vista city limits.
- There is no known suspect.
- It did not occur on a state freeway.
Eligible categories include harassing phone calls, hit-and-run incidents, identity theft, lost property, shoplifting, theft, theft from a vehicle, vandalism and vehicle tampering.
If an incident does not qualify for online reporting, call the non-emergency line at 619-691-5151.
Obtaining Chula Vista Police Reports
Copies of police reports can be requested from Police Support Services. In-person requests are handled during normal business hours, and requests may also be submitted by mail.
Useful information includes:
- Date and time of the incident
- Incident location
- Names of involved parties
- Report number when known
- Photo identification
The department states that most report-copy requests are processed within 10 to 14 business days. A standard police report copy currently carries a $1 fee.
Chula Vista Police and City Jail
CVPD operates a city jail facility, but its current role is limited to temporary holding and booking. Arrestees are not housed there for ongoing detention.
People arrested by Chula Vista Police may be booked and processed at the city facility and then transported to a San Diego County Sheriff’s jail or another appropriate detention facility.
The department provides a “Who’s in Jail” service for checking custody information. Because transfers and releases can occur quickly, current status should be confirmed through the appropriate jail system.
Complaints and Commendations
CVPD accepts complaints and compliments involving police employees.
A complaint may be submitted online, in person at police headquarters, by telephone through the non-emergency line or by mail.
A useful complaint should include the date, time and location of the incident, the employee’s name or badge number when known, witness information and a clear description of what happened.
The Professional Standards Unit is responsible for conducting administrative investigations involving department personnel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Chula Vista Police non-emergency number?
A: The Chula Vista Police Department non-emergency number is 619-691-5151. Call 911 for emergencies and crimes currently in progress.
Q: Where is Chula Vista Police Department headquarters?
A: CVPD headquarters is located at 315 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California 91910. The police lobby is generally open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Q: Can I file a Chula Vista police report online?
A: Yes. Qualifying non-emergency incidents can be reported online when they occurred within Chula Vista city limits, there is no known suspect and the incident did not happen on a state freeway.
Q: What county is Chula Vista Police Department in?
A: Chula Vista is in San Diego County, California. CVPD is the municipal police department for the city.
Q: Does Chula Vista Police operate its own jail?
A: CVPD has a city jail facility, but it currently functions only as a temporary holding and booking location. Arrestees are processed and then transferred to a San Diego County Sheriff’s jail or another appropriate detention facility.