Patrol Division
The Patrol Division is the backbone of the Perry Police Department. Operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, our patrol officers are the most visible representatives of city government and are consistently the first line of defense in protecting life, individual rights, and property.
Our mission in the Patrol Division is to Protect Life, Individual Rights, and Property of all Members and Visitors to our Community through rapid, professional, and compassionate emergency response, while proactively working to prevent crime through high-visibility community policing.
Core Functions & Responsibilities
Patrol officers handle a wide array of duties on any given shift. Their primary responsibilities include:
- Emergency & Non-Emergency Response: Answering calls for service dispatched through the public safety communications system, ranging from active critical incidents to routine citizen assistance.
- Proactive Traffic Enforcement: Monitoring city roadways to promote traffic safety, reduce accidents, enforce speed limits, and remove impaired drivers from our streets.
- Property & Business Checks: Conducting routine security checks on local businesses, schools, and residential neighborhoods—including executing requested Vacation House Checks.
- Initial Scene Management: Responding to crime scenes, securing evidence, locating witnesses, and writing the foundational reports that are later utilized by the Criminal Investigations Division (CID).
Neighborhood Deployment & Shift Structure
To ensure maximum coverage and prompt response times, the city is divided into specific geographic patrol zones. This structure ensures that an officer is always nearby when an emergency arises.
The division operates on a continuous rotation managed by four distinct shifts, structured to maintain round-the-clock protection:
| Shift Designation | Operational Focus | Primary Duties |
|---|---|---|
| Day Shift | High-Visibility Community Interaction | School safety zones, business community relations, traffic management, and daytime call response. |
| Night Shift | Proactive Crime | Property security checks, and neighborhood. |
| Prevention | Saturation patrol, active building checks, and nocturnal traffic safety. |
Specialty Assignments Within Patrol
In addition to standard vehicle patrol, the division utilizes specialized assignments to address unique public safety challenges:
Field Training Officer (FTO) Program
Experienced patrol officers are selected and certified to mentor and train recent graduates of the law enforcement academy. New officers must successfully complete a rigorous, multi-phase FTO program on the street before they are permitted to operate as solo patrol units.
K-9 Unit
Our specialized K-9 teams assist patrol operations by utilizing trained police dogs for tracking missing persons, locating fleeing suspects, and detecting illicit narcotics during investigations.
When to Call: Emergency vs. Non-Emergency
Understanding who to call ensures that emergency lines remain open for life-threatening situations.
Life-Threatening Emergency: Dial 911
Call 911 immediately if there is an active danger to life or property, a crime in progress, a severe medical emergency, or a major vehicle accident with injuries.
Non-Emergency Assistance: Call Dispatch
For situations where an immediate response is not critical—such as a delayed property theft, reporting past criminal mischief, minor traffic complaints, or asking general department questions—please utilize our dedicated non-emergency line.
Interested in becoming a Perry Police Department patrol officer? Visit the Join Our Team page of this website to learn more about career opportunities and how to become a police officer.
