"City Beat" Videos

The Sacramento Police Department is reaching the community in a brand new way. For the first time in Sacramento history, there is a television show dedicated to the city’s police force. The show is City Beat and it features such topics as the police department’s training academy, how law enforcement deals with homeland security, and the history of the department. The show was developed by the Sacramento Police Department and is produced by Peppers and Associates.

Episode #18 -- A Look Ahead, Cultural Community Academy, Above & Beyond

In this edition of City Beat …The times are a changin', and so is law enforcement. Consider the advances over the past several decades that have helped police to do their job. Now consider what might be in store for law enforcement in the future. This story looks ahead, at the crimes of the future, the needs of the city, and the way the Sacramento Police Department plans to handle it all. While there may be advances in the way of transportation, communication, and more, what will likely revolutionize police work are the changes in technology. Plus, it's a first-of-it's kind program that is already helping police reach out to new immigrants and teach them about services available to them. The Cultural Community Academy is all about forging new partnerships within Sacramento's ethnic communities. It helps citizens to know their rights, and how the police department works … and it helps police to gain valuable allies within these communities. Finally, in our Above and Beyond segment you'll meet a man who had his truck and his dog stolen … and his heroes came in the way of Sacramento Police officers. How did they make this experience a better one? We'll tell you. Join us for the next City Beat.

Episode #17 -- Parole Intervention Team, Officer Fitness, Military to Police Careers and
Above & Beyond

In this edition of City Beat …They keep tabs on the toughest criminals in the county … those who have been to prison and have been paroled.  The Parole Intervention Team provides parolees with tools to make a successful re-entry into society. They're also tasked with tracking down those who re-offend.

And when it comes to being an officer, the job is both mental and physical.  We'll introduce you to the Sacramento Police Department's secret weapon in the fight to stay fit.  Plus, the rigorous training and physical requirements needed to be a police officer are not unlike those required by soldiers on the front lines. It's no surprise, then, that police recruiters are looking to find a few good men and women from the military.

Finally, in our Above and Beyond segment you'll meet an officer who focuses her efforts on exposing kids to the law enforcement lifestyle.  She helps to run a high school program that puts kids in control. 

Episode #16 -- Family Support, Officer Health, Families in the Department, and S.A.F.E.

In this edition of City Beat … the job of a law enforcement officer doesn't end when the badge and uniform come off. It's a career that becomes a lifestyle, and as a result, often affects an officers' life at home. We'll talk to family members of rookie and veteran cops about why family support is such an important part of an officer's life. And when it comes to needing support, the men and women behind the badge have resources on the job as well. For years the peer support program has been reaching out to officers who are dealing with trauma, either at home or at work. The law enforcement chaplains offer a similar service by providing a caring ear and guidance in dealing with some of the devastation that officers sometimes see. And they say law enforcement is one big family – for some people, that couldn't be more true. Brothers … sisters … moms … dads … husbands and wives … the Sacramento Police Department has them all. We'll introduce you to three different families who have found careers in police work together. Finally, our Above and Beyond story features a husband and wife, both Sergeants for SPD, who spend their time away from work helping teens make the most of their high school years. Join us for the next City Beat.

Episode #15 -- Community Recruiter, Diverse Department, the Community and Rapper Cop

Episode #14 -- Women Officers of SPD

Episode #13 -- Sacramento Police Department’s Patrol Division

From patrol cars to patrol boats, helicopters to horses…the Sacramento Police Department keeps a constant, watchful eye on our city. But when special events happen, patrol officers, along with specialized units, join together to ward off potential danger. The recent Olympic Trials required the Sacramento Police Department to be ready for anything from fistfights to potential terrorist activity. A look back on the USDA Conference shows how law enforcement kept the peace in Sacramento, moving protesters away from certain riot behavior. City Beat goes inside the “hub” of the Police Department, the Communications Center. Here, dispatchers find they often must play detective, pulling critical information from each caller before dispatching officers.

City Beat’s Above & Beyond segment features Officer Billy Lyons, who, along with his equestrian partner “Oak”, has had a career to remember. We hope you will join us for this episode of CITY BEAT.

* PLEASE NOTE: (You may need to download the latest free version of Windows Media Player to watch this video. Please click HERE to visit Microsoft's Media Player download page.)

Episode #12 -- Gang Intervention, Magnet Schools & Diversity

On this City Beat our cameras explore gang life in Sacramento, and the positive impact the Sacramento Police Department is having with young people at risk. One young woman tells her own story of escaping the violent lifestyle of a gang.

Then, we visit a very different environment: three high school classrooms, where the Sacramento Police Department's Criminal Justice Academies are well attended and highly successful.

Our final story takes a look at our city's multicultural community and the efforts of the Police Department to create a more inclusive police force.

Episode #11 -- EVOC, Patrol and DUIs

On this City Beat, we're shifting into overdrive with a look at how Sacramento Police Department officers train behind the wheel. Their Emergency Vehicle Operations Course, or EVOC, is one of the finest in the state and their driving ambitions have helped reduce accidents for the City of Sacramento. Plus, we'll ride a long with an officer on patrol. Find out what perils await when you experience life on patrol. And finally, we'll make you think twice before drinking and driving. Two individuals share their tragic stories of how one drunken trip behind the wheel changed their lives forever. And discover how the Sacramento Police Department tries to prevent more DUI tragedies from occurring.

Episode #10 -- Special Operations

When lives are on the line, SWAT gets the call. On this episode of City Beat, you’re in the action on a training mission as this elite team of commandos for the Sacramento Police Department takes down a bad guy.

It’s massive, it’s state of the art, it’s a rolling tour de force and fortunately, it’s on our side. It’s the Sacramento Police Department's mobile command center and it’s ready to take charge, right now!

Plus, we’ll put you on both sides of the phone-line as a seasoned hostage negotiator demonstrates how to secure the release of a terrified woman being held at gunpoint. All that and more, on City Beat.

Episode #9 -- Volunteers, Reserves and Chaplains

Meet some unsung heroes within the Sacramento Police Department. Police Chief Albert Najera comments on how volunteers of every fashion benefit the department. Find out how volunteers save the department about $130,000 a year, and they help patrol the streets in your neighborhood through the VIPS program. Plus, go behind the scenes on a movie set with our men in blue. Meet the reserve officers who make many community events, like movie productions and parades, happen in Sacramento. And if a cop is in crisis, the law enforcement chaplaincy may be the answer to their prayers. Discover how they make a difference in the lives of sworn and non-sworn personnel.

Episode #8 -- Domestic Abuse

A violent and destructive case of domestic abuse ends when a neighbor intervenes and calls in the police. On the next edition of City Beat, members of the Sacramento Police Department tell you what to look for and what to do if you suspect that a loved one or friend is one of the thousands of victims of abuse reported annually in the State of California.

Americans are living longer lives. Sadly, with that comes a higher rate of elder abuse. We’ll reveal the many forms of abuse against our seniors and who the perpetrators are.

But the cycle of violence begins when children are betrayed by those they trust most; their parents. We take a hard look through the eyes of the Sacramento Police department and allied agencies at the many forms of abuse plaguing society on the next episode of City Beat.

Episode #7 -- Homeland Security

Could an event like 9/11 occur in Sacramento? To examine the security of our home sweet homeland, watch City Beat, the TV show that gives you a behind the scenes look at the Sacramento Police Department. Find out how Sac PD is preparing for the ever-increasing threat of terrorism in the capitol city. City Councilmember Steve Cohn weighs in with his thoughts on just how scared Sacramentans should be.

Police Chief Albert Najera praises the work of the Department, along with letters of commendation from the community, as we examine police performance during the recent USDA conference. This international event featured planning, protests and a fearsome police presence.

And we’ll meet a well-known Sacramentan, former mayor Jimmie Yee, who has experienced the violence wrought by one kind of domestic terrorism. Tune in for his story of trauma and triumph.

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Episode #6 – Special Investigations/ Narcotics/ Vice

Is the Sacramento Police Department winning or losing the war on drugs? On this edition of City Beat we’ll take you along on an actual drug “sting” operation. You’ll ride inside the “Trojan Horse” as narcotics officers prepare to take down targeted dealers.

Are raves really the gateway to drug addiction and sexual deviance? We’ll take you to a rave so you can personally see how pacifiers and light sticks enhance the drug experience. You’ll learn about the new ‘fashionable’ drugs embedded with the innocent likeness of Mickey Mouse or Bart Simpson to increase acceptability among teens. You’ll find out who is making these drugs and why Sacramento has become known as the meth amphetamine capital of the world.

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Episode #5 – The Academy and Officer Training

The Sacramento Police Department’s Academy is top rated and one of the toughest in the nation. Find out firsthand what it takes to become a capitol city cop.

An off-duty officer goes above and beyond to save the life of a basketball player.

And, after ten years at the helm, an emotional goodbye from Sacramento Police Chief Arturo Venegas, Jr. 

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Episode #4 - Investigations

CSI is more than just a TV show. On this edition of City Beat you’ll join real life crime scene investigators as they work with Sacramento Police detectives to solve some of the most notorious crimes in the history of the capital city.

We’ll follow a group of avenging angels from Sac PD who put in extra hours to help bring the Christmas gift of closure to a grieving family. Follow detectives as they walk you along the trail of deceit and violence that uncovered the mystery of the Bread Store murder.

A history of drug abuse and mayhem ends in a high-speed chase, the shooting of an officer and death on Mack Road. Find out what the Sacramento Police Department did to end the savagery of a Most Wanted California felon.

Also on this City Beat officers receive the praise of a community group for helping to restore the peace and safety of their neighborhood.

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* PLEASE NOTE: (You may need to download the latest free version of Windows Media Player to watch this video. Please click HERE to visit Microsoft's Media Player download page.)

Episode #3 -- Technology and the Sacramento Police Department.

Join Host Joe Oliver to find out how computers and electronic devices are being used to more effectively police the city of Sacramento. And a Sacramento Police Officer is recognized by the US Attorney’s office for his undercover work in nabbing an Internet pedophile. Over 3,000 pornographic photos of children were found on computer disks in the man’s car and hotel room.

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* PLEASE NOTE: (You may need to download the latest free version of Windows Media Player to watch this video. Please click HERE to visit Microsoft's Media Player download page.)

Episode #2 - Community Policing

Community Oriented Policing is a philosophy that has been fully embraced by the Sacramento Police Department. You will see the incredible transformation of a neighborhood taken over by gangs, drugs and violence. In 1990, Seavey Circle was the most dangerous area of Sacramento. At the time, officers were advised to not enter the neighborhood on a call unless there were two additional cars backing them up. The Police Department, in partnership with the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment agency, made a concerted effort to clean up the neighborhood. Two officers were assigned to the River Oaks/New Helvetia Housing projects full time. In fact, Sac PD had an office in the middle of the neighborhood. This is a perfect example of how Community Oriented Policing works. Ten years later, this partnership continues at Seavey Circle.

City Beat also takes a look at Oak Park, and the ongoing effort by neighbors and police to keep their neighborhoods safe. Other neighborhoods are still in need.

And…careers in law enforcement are possible for more people now than ever before. With increasing need for those well versed in technology or applicants with positive “people” skills…Sac PD encourages you to think of a law enforcement career. We explore some of those options on City Beat.

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Episode #1 -- History Show

This edition of City Beat takes us all the way back to the outlaws of California’s Gold Rush days and chronicles the history of the Sacramento Police Department, the oldest law enforcement agency in the state. Enjoy insightful interviews with retired officers that served as far back as the roaring 20’s.

Retired Sacramento Bee ace crime reporter Warren Halloway relives his 22-years of covering the police beat. Hear how his close relationship with Sac PD allowed him an exclusive insider’s perspective on infamous stories ranging from the riots of the 60’s to Dorothea Puente to the Unabomber and more.

A look at the early Police Academy and the advent of women into the ranks of the sworn help round out this revealing look into Sacramento Police Department’s past on the premiere episode of City Beat.

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