Uniform Division
The Uniform Division is the largest division in the Police Department and is responsible for providing the primary response to calls for service. The division also enforces all criminal and traffic laws. Committed to the philosophy of community policing, and working in partnership with the community, the uniform division strives to deliver quality service with professionalism and integrity.
The Uniform Division is comprised of four teams of Patrol Officers, a Traffic Unit, a K-9 Unit and a Community Oriented Policing (COPS) unit. The division is managed by a Captain.
Patrol
Rather than the more traditional three shifts that many agencies have working patrol, our patrol officers are divided into four teams which work rotating 12 hour shifts. This schedule only requires officers to work 14 of every 28 days and allows for a full week and two weekends off every four weeks. Each team is commanded by a Lieutenant.
The patrol officers are the primary response to citizen complaints and calls for service. They enforce state laws, local ordinances and traffic laws. They are also responsible for proactive patrol functions.
To assist in these responsibilities and allow them to operate more efficiently, they are equipped with some of the latest law enforcement technology. Each patrol vehicle has a laptop computer with wireless access to the department computer aided dispatch system, other department computer databases as well as the state and federal law enforcement databases. These computers also provide car-to-car messaging capability, report writing capability, automatic vehicle location technology and in-vehicle mapping.
The mobile computer software allows officers to run license tag and other computer checks in which the computer provides a verbal response. This keeps the officer from having to look down at the screen to read the responses while driving. This software also allows for traffic citations to be computer generated using the data returned from the state motor vehicle and driver computer files and printed much quicker than when written by hand. What's more they are all readable and the data is electronically uploaded to the police department and municipal court databases.
Each vehicle is also equipped with an in-car video camera, radar or laser speed detection equipment, an Alco-Sensor for DUI field sobriety testing, a digital camera and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
Traffic Unit
The Traffic Unit primarily rides motorcycles and is responsible for responding to citizen traffic complaints and providing selective traffic enforcement. The unit also investigates all serious vehicle accidents as well as hit and run accidents. Officers assigned to the unit are required to successfully complete extensive state training in accident reconstruction. Traffic officers are also Certified Child Safety Seat Technicians.
Community Oriented Policing Unit
The officers assigned to this unit work a flexible schedule rather than the rotating twelve hour shifts. This allows them greater flexibility to work with the citizens and community in crime prevention efforts. They schedule and attend community meetings, work with businesses to reduce victimization and work with the schools to reach children.
The COPs Unit is also responsible for handling code enforcement issues and complaints.