"Service Above Self " Public Safety Award Recipient - Sergeant Janet Schaefer

Sergeant Janet Schaefer has been with the Citrus Heights Police Department since its inception in 2006.  As a member of this young agency, she has "hit the ground running".  She has not only excelled as a supervisor for officers on the streets, she has also been a mentor to her colleagues in the management division.

Janet has the unique ability to create an atmosphere of  enjoyment and comfort at work.  She finds a way to acknowledge your personal attributes and achievements, even if those are something you want to avoid, such as birthdays.

To compliment her excellent supervision, Janet has been the pivotal force behind the collaborative effort between the City of Citrus Heights, the Citrus Heights Police Department, and the Domestic Violence Intervention Center.

We are all aware of the magnitude of the crime of Domestic Violence.  The effects this crime has on victims and families is devastating and can last indefinitely.  In 2008, Janet  created the Domestic Violence Response Team ("DVRT"). This innovative  program is designed to have an outreach advocate ride-along with officers, ensuring they are on the scene of a domestic related call within 15 minutes.  Advocates gather data from domestic arguments to intervene before they become physical.  Counseling, legal mediation, and alcohol and drug intervention are services they provide.

When the program started, there were only 8% of victims of domestic violence that followed up with consulting services.  Now, there is 51% following up and/or leaving their violent relationship.

Recently, Janet started "joining forces" (Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Sacramento,City, Sacramento County). This is the first regional network of law enforcement leaders to combine resources and share prevention ideas on domestic violence.

Janet is a statewide consultant on domestic violence prevention programs. This summer, DVRT will have an advocate on the campus of both high schools here in our city.

Janet regularly teaches advocate and volunteer academies, DV law, and police approaches to domestic violence.  Additionally, Janet serves on the Domestic Violence Prevention Council and Domestic Violence Homicide Review Board.  She has been asked to be a guest speaker at the 2012 Domestic Violence National Convention.

Janet's latest endeavor has been to work with the State Assembly to author new legislation for criminal registration of specific DV and Human Trafficking convicts.

Sergeant Schaefer's innovative efforts with domestic violence awareness, as well as intervention are unmatched in our region.  Her dedication to educating the public and law enforcement on ways to handle every aspect of this devastating crime is unparalleled.

Sergeant Schaeffer is not only an exceptional Police supervisor; she exemplifies what it means to provide "service above self".

BIO:

Janet began her Law Enforcement career 15 years ago with the Monterey County Sheriff's Office.  Her duties include correctional work such as transportation and International Extradition. She was a Field Training Officer as well as a Narcotics Detective and Cold Case Homicide Investigator.

Janet was hired as a patrol Sergeant in 2006 for the Citrus Heights Police Department.  Here, she supervises the Records Division, Patrol, Domestic Violence Response Team, Field Training, Community events, and the Explorer program.

Janet has a degree in Criminal Justice Management, and is a graduate of the POST Supervisory Leadership Institute.