In 2006, Elk Grove stopped contracting with the county sheriff's department and started its own full-service police…More department. Today the department has 123 officers—around .9 per thousand residents, slightly less than the average for similar communities. Civilian community service officers respond to non-violent crimes, leaving sworn officers to tackle the more serious offenses. Department staff includes a youth services officer and a large street crimes unit.</p> <p>The department collaborates with more than 300 neighborhood watch groups throughout the city. Residents interested in learning more about policing can attend a 16-week training program called the Citizens' Academy, or stop by one of the department's quarterly "Coffee with a Cop" events at neighborhood cafés. Elk Grovians on holiday can take advantage of the department's free vacation-check service, a volunteer patrol that makes daily stops at houses while their owners are away.</p>