Patrol
The patrol division is responsible for all general police services through-out the city. They provide the first response to citizens' request for services. These services are provided 24 hours a day seven days a week.
The members of this division respond to a variety of calls, such as
traffic accident investigation, preliminary investigation of crimes,
traffic enforcement, enforcing criminal laws and resolving disputes.
The Patrol Division consists of four sergeants, who serve as shift commanders, and eighteen patrol officers.
All officers attend a six month Basic Police Academy. They are then placed with a field training officer for a minimum of 160 hours. Each officer receives forty hours of in-service training each year in specialty schools such as: drug enforcement, arson investigation, advanced traffic investigation, advanced interview and interrogation, domestic violence, officer survival, instructor's school, firearms, driving, defense tactics and radar. Additionally, each officer is recertified during the year in firearms qualification, radar and intoxilyzer operation. Additionally, there is monthly training and issues covered at roll call.
Bike
Patrol
The Bike Patrol consists of 6 officers, who have had specialty bicycle training. They ride 24-speed Mongoose Police bicycles specially equipped with high-intensity headlights, rear mounted flashers, racks and bags. There are several benefits from bike patrols. Officers are out of cars and more accessible to the public, making interaction easier. More ground can be covered on bike patrol than on foot. Officers frequently have the element of surprise when making arrests and the bikes are able to respond where a vehicle is unable to go, creating a better response time.
K-9 Unit
Emporia
Police Department's K-9 unit currently consists of two patrol dogs. Patrol dogs are
used to track violent individuals, conduct building searches, and are used
for crowd control. Explosive detection dogs are utilized to locate and detect
explosives. Drug dogs are utilized to locate and detect various
types of illegal drugs. All dogs and their handlers are
certified through the Virginia Department of Corrections. The
bloodhounds attend a man-trailing school.