What Do Broadmoor Police Officers Actually Do?

If you only interact with a police department when something goes wrong, it’s easy to imagine the job is mostly crime scenes and car chases. Real life is a lot less Hollywood and a lot more human.

The Broadmoor Police Department exists to provide dedicated, 24-hour police services to the residents, schools, visitors, and commuters who move through our district every day.

So, what does an average day look like for a Broadmoor police officer? Let’s pull back the curtain and take a peek.

 “Calls for Service”

In policing, a big chunk of daily work is tracked through what’s called “calls for service.” That includes 911 calls, non-emergency calls, officer-initiated activity (like extra patrols), and everything in between. Broadmoor PD handles thousands of calls for service each year.

But here’s the part that surprises most people: many of those calls are not what you’d label “crime.” They’d never be on the TV show Bosch or any other police show. They’re requests for help, problem-solving, checking on someone’s safety, or responding to situations that could become dangerous if ignored.

In other words, officers spend a lot of time doing what you’d want a neighbor with training, tools, and authority to do. We show up, assess what’s happening, and help ensure (or restore) safety.

What Broadmoor Officers Do

Here are some of the most common buckets of police work in our community:

Emergency Response

This is the part that makes for the exciting movies and TV shows and yes, our officers respond to emergencies such as active threats, in-progress crimes, medical emergencies where police are first on scene, and situations where seconds matter.

Emergency response is why 24/7 service matters. It’s also why you may see officers moving quickly from one call to the next, sirens and lights a blazing.

Traffic Safety and Collision Response

Officers spend significant time handling traffic-related issues such as collisions, unsafe driving, DUI enforcement, and traffic control around busy areas. In Broadmoor, that includes commuter activity near the Colma BART station and other high-traffic corridors.

Traffic work isn’t “just tickets.” It’s prevention. It’s reducing crashes. It’s keeping pedestrians safer. It’s making sure the same dangerous pattern doesn’t repeat itself on the same corner, week after week.

School Safety

Broadmoor PD prioritizes school safety with over 1,194 students and staff attending Benjamin Franklin Intermediate, Garden Village Elementary, and Holy Angels School. Through daily patrol patterns and traffic management, officers help ensure that residents adhere to safety guidelines. Officers also partner with educators to help keep students and staff protected.

If you’re a parent , you may notice the visible presence and think, “Is something happening?” Often, the answer is simpler—it’s proactive safety. And keeping students and educators safe is one of our top priorities.

Community Support Calls

Some calls are not active crimes, but they are urgent. Officers respond to concerns like:

• Welfare checks (someone hasn’t been seen and a loved one is worried)
• Suspicious circumstances (something feels off, and wants someone to look into it)
• Disputes (neighbors, families, or businesses who need help de-escalating)
• Lost property, found property, and follow-ups that help close loops for residents

These calls are a big reason a local department matters. Broadmoor PD exists because residents wanted responsive service that understood the community and could be nearby when needed.

Visible Patrol and Prevention

Not all police work is reactive. A lot of it is intentionally preventive. Patrols in neighborhoods, checking parks and public areas, and maintaining a visible presence near high-activity zones helps deter crime and reassure residents. We’re members of the community and you’ll see us around.

Reports, Documentation, and Follow-up

Behind everything we do, there’s a paper trail. Even a straightforward call often requires:

• Written reports
• Evidence handling
• Follow-up interviews
• Coordination with other agencies
• Reviewing video footage
• Court-related documentation when cases move forward

This requires meticulous work. A department can’t serve its community well if it can’t document accurately. That’s part of professional standards and accountability, and it’s reflected in the leadership and experience guiding the department.

Event Support and Weekend Surges

Broadmoor’s population activity changes on weekends and special occasions, especially with large gatherings at local religious institutions. Officers may assist with traffic flow and public safety during these surges so residents, visitors, and congregants can gather without concern.

More Than Law Enforcement

Broadmoor officers don’t just “enforce laws.” We respond. We prevent. We document. We help. We de-escalate. We show up for problems that don’t fit neatly into a category but still matter to someone. And because Broadmoor is a dedicated district with a community-focused mission, that work is local, accountable, and built around the real needs of the residents and neighbors it serves.

You Don’t Have to Wait for a Crisis to Connect

Our doors are always open. We work for you. If you have questions about safety concerns in your neighborhood, traffic issues, or how to report something, reaching out early is one of the best ways to prevent problems from growing. Think of it like maintenance on a car. You can wait for smoke or safety dangers, or you can get that weird noise checked out while it’s still a quick fix.