PATROL DIVISION
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
Patrol Officers are considered "generalists" rather than "specialists"
because they must handle a wide array of problems, incidents and investigation
This Division is working 24 hours a day, 365 days a year making the city a better place to live, work and shop.
CONTACT: 430 Boston Post Road, Milford CT, 06460
Phone 203-878-6551 Fax 203-783-4804 E-Mail
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
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)
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
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