Southwest Airlines Chula Vista Police Foundation

Both The and Southwest Airlines are committed to making the communities where we live, work and play stronger and more resilient. The Chula Vista Police Department is the second largest Police Department in San Diego County and engaging with the community has been key to their success as an organization. Chief of Police Roxana Kennedy understands the importance of connecting with people, providing outstanding customer service, and building partnerships and hopes to pass these principles along as her legacy to the next generation of police leaders. We invite you to learn more about how the Foundation provides critical resources to the men and women who ensures a safer Chula Vista.

Chula Vista Police Foundation

The Chula Vista Police Foundation is an independent 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, charged with the mission to ensure a safer Chula Vista for those who live, work and visit the city. The foundation provides financial support to the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) for specialized safety equipment, contemporary training and cooperative community programs – all of which receive limited funding by the City of Chula Vista’s annual budget.

Through grant funding, the foundation bolsters initiatives that enhance police/community relations, crime prevention, and public safety. Some of these programs include the acclaimed Drone as First Responder Program, Shoe and Sock Drive, Holiday Meal and Toy Giveaway, Evening with Heroes event, SWAT, K-9 Program, Cadet Program and Senior Volunteer Patrol.
The foundation mainly relies on contributions and support from the community to enhance law enforcement programs and community events. A longtime partnership with Southwest Airlines has helped to make these programs and community events possible.

Community partnership is of the utmost importance to the foundation, and the success of their annual Holiday Meal and Toy Giveaway is a perfect testament to that fact. Last year, the foundation partnered with Walmart and CVPD officers to provide over 500 South Bay families with meals and gifts during the holiday season.
The Shoe and Sock Drive is another shining example of how the foundation assists families and children in the community. Recognizing that the start of school brings with it the need for new shoes, socks, backpacks and school supplies, the foundation provides these items to children through their annual drive. The foundation was able to impact the lives of over 500 children last year with provisions to help build their confidence and allow them to focus on their studies.

The foundation has also been able to provide CVPD officers with lifesaving tourniquets so that all officers can carry one with them in the field. Shortly after this initiative was brought to life, two CVPD officers were dispatched to a call where a woman had been pinned between two vehicles. She had suffered severe trauma to her legs and had lost a significant amount of blood. The responding officers used the tourniquets to stop the flow of blood and ultimately save her life.

The K-9 Program is another facet of the foundation’s support. CVPD police dogs provide invaluable aid to officers, with the primary function of locating evidence, narcotics and individuals evading officers. These highly trained canine partners can help reduce risks to police officers while, wherever practical, reducing the use of force. CVPD’s canine companions are beloved by the public and often participate in community outreach efforts by performing educational seminars and demonstrations at local schools, special events, safety fairs and other community meetings. The foundation helps the CVPD K-9 Unit by providing new dogs, training (for both canine and handler), equipment, and medical care.

Serving as its major fundraiser event of the year, the Chula Vista Police Foundation is excited to host its 8th annual Evening with Heroes event on September 11th at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center. Held on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the foundation will be commemorating this day to honor those who dedicate their lives to service and sacrifice, recognizing the heroes of the CVPD as well as those in our community who have gone above and beyond in the call of service.