Patrol Bureau

An officer responds to a murder investigation and secures a perimeter around the scene of the crime.

The Patrol Bureau is staffed by 80 officers and 12 sergeants. These officers and sergeants are assigned to 12 squads. There are two squads working at all times, one in the north portion of the city and one in the south. The city is divided north and south at Talbert Avenue. Officers are most times assigned by themselves in a police car but occasionally there will two officers working together in the car. Officers are assigned to a specific beat and are responsible for handling all crimes that occur within that beat.

Patrol officers change shifts and /or squads in January, June and September. Patrol officers perform a variety of duties that include but not limited to:

• Taking crime reports,

• conducting traffic enforcement,

• responding to calls for service,

• making arrests,

• resolving disputes as well as any efforts to prevent crime.

A suspicious person made furtive movements as the officer drove by. The officer later learned why when a search of his vehicle revealed marijuanna found hidden under the ashtray.

A patrol officer's day can be routine and filled with a great deal of paperwork, but in an instant can become exciting and sometimes terrifying. The variety of activity from routine reports to life threatening dangerous situations is part of the challenge that officers face each day.

• What is a police officer?

• Officers Preparing for Work

• Patrol photo album