Patrol

The patrol section is a component of the Operations Division. This section comprises the largest segment of the department interns of the number of personnel, equipment, and budget. 

White Police Car on The Street with Flashing Lights

Face of the Department

Uniformed patrol officers, and their marked cruisers, are the most visible segment of the department. They are the first departmental component encountered by the public and frequently the only police personnel seen by the public. Therefore, no other section has as much opportunity to affect the department's reputation.

Function

 Patrol's functions range from helping the public in non-criminal matters (lost children, civil/neighbor disputes, traffic problems, etc.) including preliminary reports of crime, arrests, investigations, return of stolen property, case preparation and court testimony. Obviously, the patrol officer must be very versatile and possess a wide range of expertise in many fields. The quality of service provided to the public depends largely upon the patrol officer's competence.

Shift Work

The patrol section operates on twelve hour work days with a schedule that has officers working two days on, two days, off, three days on, and then two days off, with every other weekend off. Patrol officers are assigned within five(5) zones during the course of their work days.

Problem solving is utilized by the patrol officers as a tool for dealing with problems or quality of life issues in their patrol zones. Shift size and zone assignments are based upon the calls for service.