The Patrol Division consists of Administration, Field Operations, Downtown Team, Domestic Violence Response Program, Telephone Reporting Office, Police K-9 Team, Traffic Control Unit and the Emergency Operations Group.
Commanded by Deputy Chief Scott Hayes and four lieutenants, the Patrol Division provides primary law enforcement activities to preserve public peace, prevent crime and protect life and property as first responders to calls for service and through proactive community policing activities.
Field Operations provides primary law enforcement services and emergency response to the City 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Patrol officers are first responders to emergency and non-emergency calls for service, conduct preliminary investigations, provide deterrence to crime in our neighborhoods, enforce both criminal and traffic laws when violations are observed, and attend monthly neighborhood association meetings. Officers engage in proactive community policing activities with the goal of preventing crime and addressing long term solutions to neighborhood crime concerns.
The Downtown Team provides a sense of safety and security through patrols (both on foot and bicycle) that deter criminal activity in and around the downtown core area including Riverfront Park, Wallace Marine Park, and the transit facility, and through exclusion of individuals based on City Council direction. The team focuses on crimes that impact the quality of life in this diverse commerce and residential area.
The Domestic Violence Response Program has one paid coordinator and over 20 volunteer advocates who respond to the scene of domestic violence calls on 75 percent of the cases worked by Salem police officers, providing immediate information and support to the victim. The advocates and investigating officers provide a comprehensive approach to domestic violence.
Staffed by civilians, the Telephone Reporting Office handles a large volume of crime reports taken over the telephone and at the front counter, freeing officers in the field for higher priority calls.
The Police K-9 Team consists of seven officers and their K-9 partners. The highly trained dogs conduct searches for narcotics and suspects and assist in apprehending violent and resistive suspects. The sworn personnel perform these activities in conjunction with their primary assignment. Six K-9 teams are assigned to Field Operations and one K-9 team is assigned to the Street Crimes Unit.
Supervised by a sergeant, the Traffic Control Unit is responsible for specialized traffic enforcement and education activities, injury and fatal accident investigations, and traffic control at major special events. Officers respond to community complaints of specific traffic problem areas and provide safer neighborhood streets through enforcement of traffic laws and reduction of traffic accidents. Prevention efforts include driver improvement course and presentations. This unit also manages the Photo Red Light program, which is currently installed at three intersections in the city.
The Emergency Operations Group provides the department and the community with specially trained and equipped personnel to respond to high risk situations. The teams include the SWAT Team, the Mobile Response Team, the Tactical Negotiations Team, the Bomb Team and the Trauma Team. Members of these teams must meet stringent selection criteria and receive intensive training for their special team duties and responsibilities as a collateral duty in addition to their regular assignment.
The Patrol Division has 130 FTE: One Deputy Chief, four Lieutenants, 14 Sergeants, 14 Corporals, 92 Officers, one Domestic Violence Advocate Coordinator, one Staff Assistant II, one Senior Telephone Reporting Specialist, and two Telephone Reporting Specialists.