The Patrol Division is known as the backbone of the Department. Patrol is the largest Division in the Department.
It's personnel are the Uniformed, Highly Visible representatives of the Department.
Of the 111 total sworn Police Department positions, 71 are Patrol Division assignments.
Chances are when you call the police to report a crime or accident, our patrol officers are the first units to arrive.
Most peoples observations of, or contact with, the Milford Police Department involves a member of the Patrol Division
This Division is working 24 hours a day, 365 days a year making the city a better place to live, work and shop.
Patrol Officers are considered "generalists" rather than "specialists" because they must handle a wide array of problems, incidents and investigation
CONTACT: 430 Boston Post Road, Milford CT, 06460
Division Command Structure
The Patrol Division is under the command of a Captain and is split into three shifts.
Each shift is commanded by one Lieutenant and several Sergeants who supervise the Patrol Officers
In addition to the officers patrolling the streets, we have several civilian employees (dispatchers / stenos) who work within the Division.
Basic Patrol Division Responsibilities
Deter crime, protect public safety, keep peace
Provide round-the-clock patrols of the city
First responders to calls for service
Enforce criminal laws, city ordinances and motor vehicle laws
Provide assistance, information or referrals if needed
Shift and Beat Coverage
Each day is divided into three 8-hour shifts
The city is broken down into geographical areas called “beats”
The beat structures were designed based in large part on population and call volume.
An officer is assigned to patrol each beat
The beat structure is periodically re-evaluated
Activity is routinely reviewed and additional resources may be deployed, or reallocated, to areas with identified needs
Shift Work
All Patrol officers are expected to be proficient and active in all aspects of job performance and are known as "generalists” not “specialists”
However, the priority and/or frequency of certain tasks or responsibilities varies depending upon the shift
Examples;
Traffic enforcement is a higher priority on days and evenings than it is on midnight shift because the traffic volume is considerably less on midnight shift
Commercial burglaries more commonly occur on the midnight shift because most businesses are closed and unoccupied
Residential burglaries more commonly occur on the day shift when most people are away at work or school
Midnight Shift
Beats supplemented with foot and/or bike patrols
High percentage of calls are burglar alarms, noise complaints, domestic disputes, intoxicated persons
Responsibilities include security checks of commercial buildings, public parks, beaches etc
Day Shift
Beats supplemented with foot and/or bike patrols as much as possible
High percentage of calls are larcenies, motor vehicle accidents, traffic/parking complaints, white collar crimes
Responsibilities include; high level of traffic enforcement, high call volume consisting mostly of after-the-fact documenting/investigation
Evening Shift
Beats supplemented with foot and/or bike patrols
2 Person Crime Suppression Unit usually assigned to evening shift
High percentage of calls are; larcenies, m/v accidents, traffic complaints, fights/disorderly
conduct complaints, domestic disputes
Responsibilities include many in-progress incidents
On Patrol
If not immediately dispatched to a call, the officer will proceed to their assigned beat
Each officer develops their own methods of patrolling a beat, but the objective and responsibility is the same;
Continuous random patrol when not on an assignment
High Visibility
Crime Deterrence
Proactively identify and address violations, hazards etc
Respond to calls for service
Investigation and documentation
Special Units
Within the Patrol Division some of the Special Units include;
3 Officers, 1 Sergeant
Officers still perform patrol duties and may be assigned to patrol a beat, but have the additional “tool” of a highly trained canine
Patrol K-9’s are German Shepard's trained primarily for tracking and apprehension
Bicycle Unit
19 Officers certified
Officers still perform patrol duties but can be assigned to bike patrols whenever and wherever needed
Bikes used a great deal in downtown areas and during special events (Oyster Festival, parades etc)
Bikes allow officers to maneuver through crowds and traffic much easier than traditional patrol car
Bike patrols are ideal for community policing details such as COPSS Unit
ATV (All Terrain Vehicle)
Specially trained Officers operate All-Terrain off-road Vehicles in wooded areas,
open spaces, railroad tracks etc and can also be deployed to beaches if needed
CSU (Crime Suppression Unit)
2 officers reassigned from their daily patrol job
Every few months different officers are rotated into unit
Officers focus on particular problems or areas and develop specific plans to address issues
Combination of uniform and plainclothes assignments
COPSS (Community Oriented Police Sub-Station)
The COPPS unit allows us to bring the police department to the community
The unit is comprised of officers taken away from their normal daily patrol jobs and reassigned to the unit
Typical deployment consists of one officer assigned to the van to meet with citizens, 2 officers on bikes and 1 officer in a car
The number of officers and resources utilized is flexible and is based upon the location and the goal(s) to be accomplished
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