California Exposition and State Fair Police

Not to be confused with Exposition Park Department of Public Safety.
California Exposition and State Fair Police
Badge
Badge
Common nameCal Expo Police
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionCalifornia, U.S.
General nature
Specialist jurisdiction
  • Protection of international or domestic VIPs, protection of significant state assets.
Operational structure
Agency executive
Parent agencyCalifornia Exposition
Website
Official website

The California Exposition and State Fair Police is the police department of the California Exposition and State Fair, responsible for policing the California Exposition, including most notably the California State Fair. The sworn personnel of the Department have statewide peace officer powers as provided by section 830.2(i) of the California Penal Code.[2]

The State Fair historically had a reputation for violence and disorder; between 2009 and 2017, police made an average of 66 arrests each year. Police were accused of racially profiling black teenagers.[3] A new Chief, Joseph Robillard, was appointed in 2018. Robillard has previously been a police officer with the Yuba City Police Department, an investigator with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and deputy director of security for the California State Lottery.[3] In 2018, following the introduction of a new approach to policing, including "teaching officers de-escalation techniques for arrests and encouraging a warm, constructive relationship between police officers and fair goers", the number of arrests reduced to 10. Police officers are now taught "to be more verbally communicative and calm when approaching someone with unruly conduct, instead of resorting to force."[1]

The department maintains 200 CCTV cameras, and operates a booking facility with holding cells.[4]

  1. ^ a b Wang, Candice (11 July 2019). "The State Fair has a history of violence, and it could be hurting attendance at Cal Expo". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Safety & Security". Cal Expo & State Fair. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  3. ^ a b Browning, Kellen (26 June 2018). "Cal Expo has new acting police chief one year after fights marred state fair". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  4. ^ Johnson, Doug (13 July 2019). "Cal Expo Police Say The CA State Fair is Safe, Crime is Down". FOX40. Retrieved 11 November 2020.