Operations Bureau

The Operations Bureau encompasses the Patrol Division, Traffic Division, Animal Control Unit, Dispatch and Jail Operations, Reserve Officer Division, Field Training Officer Program, and the K-9 Unit.

The Bureau Captain is responsible for the deployment and discipline of personnel under his command the maintenance of order and ensuring that the Rules and Regulations, and Policies and Procedures of the department are adhered to. The Bureau Captain investigates all citizen complaints.

Patrol Division

The Patrol Division is the backbone of the Police Department and is also the largest unit of the Police Department consisting of 45 personnel. The Patrol Division is comprised of four platoons on twelve (12) hour shift rotations, each of which is supervised by one Lieutenant and one Sergeant. This division provides around-the-clock service; the Division is the first responder to complaints received in Dispatch. The uniformed officer investigates crime scenes, traffic crashes, traffic enforcement, preventative patrol, and enforces state and local ordinances as well as assisting in medical emergencies. In times of natural disasters, the Patrol Division acts as the command center, notifying needed agencies such as Edison, MichCon, Signals, etc. as to the locations, problems, equipment, and needs.

Traffic Division

The Traffic Division is made up of one Sergeant and one uniform officer. The division's responsibility entails the Traffic Crash Investigation Section, LEIN (Law Enforcement Information Network) Section, and investigations of hit-and-run crashes and other traffic-related incidents.

Communications / Jail Section

The Communications/Jail section is responsible for call-taking and dispatch services for both Police and Fire Departments. The personnel who work in the Communications Section answer emergency 911 and telephone calls for service and are responsible for all Police and Fire radio dispatching via radio broadcast and computer-aided dispatch to Police and Fire units. These employees are also responsible for entering missing and wanted persons, stolen and impounded vehicles, and stolen articles into the Law Enforcement Information Network/National Crime Information Center computer system as well as disseminating area radio broadcasts for wanted persons, vehicles, or recent criminal activity. The Dispatcher/Jailer receives training in Michigan State Police Dispatch, Power Phone, Hostage Situations, Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC) for Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) computer, and basic update schools.

The inmate holding has ten individual cells and 2 larger holding cells. The Jailers are responsible for processing all incoming and outgoing individuals. This includes recording all arrest information, fingerprinting on an inkless computerized fingerprint machine, and taking mug shots via a digital camera which is placed on the in-house computer system. The Jailers are also responsible for the care of persons in the custody of the police.

Field Training Officer & Evaluation Program

The Field Training Officer and Evaluation Program play a vital role in preparing newly hired police officers. The Field Training Officer and Evaluation Program have been modified several times since its inception in 1989; necessitated by ever-changing State requirements and liability issues. The Field Training Officer process now encompasses the entire probationary period of the new police officer and ensures that the Command staff and the new officer are available to address any problems that may arise. This also enables the Command staff to see at an early period in the officer's career command potential and the ability to perform other assignments within the Department. The Field Training Coordinator meets regularly with the Field Training Cadre and the progress of new officers in the program is discussed and recommendations are forwarded for continued employment, extended training, or termination. The Field Training Unit follows the probationary officer through his/her probationary year. A periodic ride-along is required from the shift supervisor to alleviate any problems that may be occurring. The Field Training Unit is also responsible for updating officers transferring from a Bureau assignment to the Road Patrol.

The Reserve Officer Section

The Reserve Officer Section currently has nineteen (15) Reserve Officers. After undergoing a background investigation, recruits attend the Reserve Police Academy for a four-month training program. Afterward, reserve officers spend six months of in-service training with veteran reserve officers and are limited to the property check detail, which entails checking the homes and businesses of persons on vacation. After this time, reserve officers may ride with sworn officers on district patrol, providing a second officer in each patrol car. Reserve officers also work various community functions throughout the year, providing traffic and crowd control at parades, sporting events, and fairs. Reserve officers are invaluable in emergency situations, assisting during emergency weather conditions with large gatherings.