On January 1, 2011, the Westminster Police Department implemented an Area Command service delivery model. The objective of this command structure is to address crime issues and improve quality of life through accountability, professional responsibility, and strategic utilization of our limited police resources.

The genesis of the Westminster Police Department’s transition to the Area Command strategy has its roots in the development of the Department’s Reorganization Plan in 2010. Westminster’s constituency clearly communicated a desire for enhanced community relations, partnership and outreach. Furthermore, these stakeholders asked for enhanced community policing activities and interaction with operations level police personnel. As part of the Reorganization Plan’s direction and strategy, an Area Command service delivery model was proposed as a means to achieve enhanced community outreach, accountability, and to give the public a single point of contact for issues and concerns.

Specifically we have divided the City into two distinct geographic areas and have designated these regions as the East and West Command Areas. Each Command has one Westminster Police Lieutenant designated as the Area Commander and at least one Police Service Officer. Each Area Commander is being held accountable for understanding the issues and concerns unique to their service area and for developing strategies and directing resources to solve problems and improve the quality of life for our citizens.

It is important for our residents to understand that the Area Commander is not a substitute for dialing 911 in an emergency or for making a call to our dispatch center should a routine request for police services be needed. Moreover, under the Area Command system all segments of our community will continue to receive the same level of police resources and service as they have in the years past.

In conclusion, the Area Command strategy will use a variety of traditional and community based policing strategies to address crime and quality of life issues. We invite you to meet our Area Commanders and have posted maps and contact information on this website so that everyone understands the service area in which they reside and how to contact your Area Commander. The Area Command policing strategy is just one of the many steps the Westminster Police Department has undertaken to help us achieve our vision of “World Class Policing.”

The West Command is comprised of the communities west of Beach Boulevard, south of Garden Grove Boulevard, east of Valley View Street, and north of Edinger Boulevard.

The East Command is comprised of the communities east of Beach Boulevard, south of Trask Avenue, west of Ward Avenue, and north of Heil Avenue.

West Area Commander                  
Lieutenant Dan Schoonmaker
Phone (714) 548-3707 

Dan Schoonmaker was appointed Lieutenant of the Westminster Police Department in December of 2010.  He began his law enforcement career as a police officer with the Westminster Police Department in 1990. His assignments as an officer include K-9 Handler, D.A.R.E., Field Training Officer, Narcotics detective, and a detective in the Special Investigation Unit. In 2004, he promoted to the rank of Sergeant and worked as a patrol sergeant, Chief’s Adjutant and Special Investigations Unit supervisor. 

Throughout his career, Dan has been involved in SWAT. He has worked as an operator, team leader, operations sergeant and currently serves as one of the Commanders of the West County SWAT Team.

Lt. Schoonmaker is the West Area Commander.  He is responsible for all police operations in the West Area of Westminster encompassing the vicinity west of Beach Boulevard.  Lt. Schoonmaker also manages the department’s SWAT Team, Trauma Support Team, Honor Guard, Police Service Officers and Fleet.

Lt. Dan Schoonmaker attended California State University, Long Beach, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Emergency Management in 2004.  He is also a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (SLI) in 2006.

East Area Commander                  
Lieutenant Timothy Vu 
Phone (714)548-3725   

Timothy Vu was appointed Lieutenant of the Westminster Police Department in December of 2010. Lt. Timothy Vu began his law enforcement career as a police officer with the San Diego Police Department in 1993. In October of 1994, Lt. Timothy Vu joined the Westminster Police Department.  Lt. Timothy Vu has worked in Patrol and served 8 years in the Detective Bureau in Fraud & Forgery, Robbery/Homicide, and Special Investigations.  Lt. Timothy Vu was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in December of 2006.

Lt. Timothy Vu is the East Area Commander.  He is responsible for all police operations in the East Area Command.  The East Area Command encompasses the business district known as Little Saigon.  Lt. Timothy Vu also manages the department’s Animal Control Services, Jail, and Traffic Bureau.

Lt. Timothy Vu attended California State University, Fullerton, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. He is also a graduate of IACP’s Leadership in Police Organization (LPO) and the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (SLI).

Lt. Timothy Vu is well known as an active member of the Westminster community. Lt. Timothy Vu currently serves as the President for the Orange County Asian Peace Officers Association.