5 Major Shifts: What The City Of Rancho Cordova Police Department Is Doing Differently In 2025
The City of Rancho Cordova Police Department (RCPD) is currently undergoing a significant transformation, marked by new leadership and a robust commitment to proactive, community-centric policing strategies for 2025. As of today, December 19, 2025, the department, which operates under a contract with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, is focusing its efforts on a fresh wave of initiatives, including major traffic safety crackdowns and enhanced community engagement programs designed to build on its history of reducing crime rates. This detailed report breaks down the most critical updates and strategic pivots defining the RCPD's operations right now.
The core philosophy driving the RCPD is its "city-centric" model, ensuring that the 55 sworn officers and 7 non-sworn staff are deeply integrated into the fabric of Rancho Cordova. This approach is exemplified by the recent appointment of a new Chief of Police, whose career background is rooted in long-term service to the greater Sacramento area, signaling a dedication to localized public safety and trust-building.
New Leadership Profile: Chief Matthew Tamayo and the Command Staff
The leadership of the Rancho Cordova Police Department is defined by a deep commitment to the Sacramento region, most notably with the recent appointment of Chief Matthew Tamayo. His background provides a strong foundation for the department's current strategic direction.
- Name: Matthew Tamayo
- Current Role: Chief of Police, Rancho Cordova Police Department (RCPD)
- Appointment Date: Effective November 2023
- Predecessor: Chief Brandon Luke
- Law Enforcement Career Start: Began his career with the Sacramento Sheriff's Office
- Total Experience: Over 20 years of service with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office before taking the Chief role
- Previous Roles: Prior to becoming Chief, he served as the Assistant Chief of Police for Rancho Cordova
- Key Focus: Works closely with the City Council and city staff to ensure the department’s mission aligns with the community's public safety vision
Chief Tamayo’s tenure is focused on leveraging his extensive experience within the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office to enhance the RCPD's proactive policing model. The department, which operates out of Kilgore Station, emphasizes a collaborative approach, ensuring that every officer is seen not just as an enforcer, but as a neighborhood partner.
The $150K Traffic Safety Crackdown: RCPD's 2025 Enforcement Focus
One of the most significant and immediate updates for the City of Rancho Cordova Police Department in 2025 is the securing of a substantial $150,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). This major funding injection is explicitly earmarked for a series of high-impact traffic safety and enforcement initiatives throughout the calendar year, signaling a clear priority shift toward road safety and injury prevention.
Targeted Enforcement Initiatives Under the OTS Grant
The $150K grant will directly fund several key operations aimed at reducing serious injuries and fatalities on Rancho Cordova streets. The primary focus areas include:
- DUI Checkpoints and Patrols: Increased frequency of checkpoints and dedicated patrols to stop suspected impaired drivers, a critical component of the traffic safety strategy.
- Distracted Driving Enforcement: Targeted operations to combat distracted driving, particularly focusing on the illegal use of cell phones while operating a vehicle.
- Speeding and Unsafe Driving: Enhanced enforcement operations to address speeding violations and other forms of unsafe driving that contribute to major collisions.
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Education: The grant also supports education and awareness campaigns to promote safe practices for vulnerable road users, complementing the enforcement efforts.
This comprehensive, data-driven approach by the RCPD, supported by the California Office of Traffic Safety, is designed to make the city's roadways safer for all residents and visitors in 2025.
Proactive Policing and Community Engagement Programs in Full Swing
Beyond traffic enforcement, the Rancho Cordova Police Department is renowned for its commitment to community-based and proactive policing models. These programs are essential for maintaining the city's reputation as a safe community, which has seen a 61% decrease in violent and property crime between 2004 and 2019.
The Core of Community-Centric Law Enforcement
The RCPD leverages a variety of specialized teams and long-running programs to foster close relationships with residents and local businesses:
- Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Unit: This dedicated unit works directly with residents and Neighborhood Officers to identify, analyze, and solve chronic neighborhood issues, strengthening community ties and improving the quality of life.
- Police Activities League (PAL): A vital 501(c)(3) nonprofit, RCPD PAL builds positive relationships between officers and youth through various free programs, including the popular Giants Program, which partners young community members with the San Francisco Giants to teach baseball fundamentals and encourage leadership.
- Citizen's Academy: An 11-week course providing residents with an in-depth, hands-on understanding of the police department's operations and proactive policing strategies.
- Adopt-a-School Program: Officers are assigned to local schools to serve as mentors and resources, further integrating the department into the educational landscape.
- Bait Package Program: A specific crime prevention initiative designed to deter and catch package thieves, addressing a common property crime concern.
- Ride Along Program: Encourages community involvement by allowing interested residents and students to observe patrol officers firsthand, promoting transparency and understanding of daily police work.
These initiatives, combined with the city's annual events like National Night Out, scheduled for Tuesday, August 5, 2025, solidify the RCPD's role as a partner in neighborhood safety.
Addressing Contemporary Crime: Retail Theft and Student Recognition
The RCPD is also actively responding to new and evolving crime trends. In a major operation, officers recently uncovered a multijurisdictional retail theft enterprise, leading to multiple arrests. This highlights the department's capacity to handle complex cases that cross city lines and impact local businesses.
In a positive counterpoint to enforcement, the department, in partnership with the City of Rancho Cordova and Sacramento Metro Fire, honored 34 remarkable students at the city's annual recognition event in 2025. This focus on celebrating youth achievement underscores the department's commitment to community building and positive reinforcement.
Rancho Cordova Crime Rate Overview and Digital Services
Rancho Cordova is often characterized by a notably low crime rate compared to national averages, with many neighborhoods receiving high safety grades. While the city celebrates its long-term success in crime reduction, the department continually provides resources for residents to stay informed and engaged.
Residents can easily access up-to-date crime statistics and utilize digital tools to interact with the department. These include the Neighborhood Police Officer Map, which allows residents to find the officer assigned to their specific area, and the Arrow Online Crime Reporting system for non-emergency incidents. The department's transparency and accessibility ensure that the community remains an active participant in public safety efforts, aligning with the vision set by Chief Matthew Tamayo and the Sacramento Sheriff's Office contract.
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