Patrol

updated: Wednesday, May 16, 2012

The Patrol Division consists of six sergeants and twenty-six patrol officers who work a combination of 10- and 12-hour shift

Shift   Time  
Day Shift   6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.  
Relief Shift   10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  
Middle Shift   4:00 p.m. to 2:00 am. and 4:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.  
Dog Watch    7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.  

The shifts overlap to provide more comprehensive coverage during shift changes, to provide extra manpower during peak periods of activity, and to allow officers to work on community policing projects. 

Patrol sergeants and officers rotate on a 3 days on and 3 days off and 4 days on and 4 days off schedule. Officers are assigned to the same shift for one year, and sergeants supervise the same group of officers for a period of four to 12 months. This allows the sergeants to become better acquainted with the activities of the officers on their shifts. 

 
A normal shift will have one officer covering one of the four patrol districts. The sergeant on duty is responsible for overseeing department operations at headquarters and also provides road supervision and assistance when necessary.
 
The four patrol districts are further divided into 35 neighborhoods  which allow for a more detailed crime analysis. The analysis is used to determine unusual activity in an area and for developing trends. If an abnormality is found, patrol activity can be analyzed and adjustments in the patrol routine can be made. This type of analysis is also used in community policing/community outreach efforts to establish neighborhood watch areas and develop special programs and strategies to reduce the likelihood of crime. The department has adopted the community-oriented policing philosophy, which is based on problem solving and the promotion of ownership relationships with the community. The department uses the S.A.R.A. model (Scan, Analyze, Respond, and Assess) for problem-solving, and all sworn officers have received substantive training in problem solving and other aspects of community policing.
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Phone Numbers

Emergency: 911

Non-emergency:
(952) 924-2618

Animal Control:
(952) 924-2618

Records/Administration:
(952) 924-2600

Fax Number:
(952) 924-2676

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