City of Tacoma - Operations-

Tacoma Police Online

Operations Bureau

The Operations Bureau, under the command of Assistant Chief Mike Ake (left), is responsible for emergency 911 response and patrolling the City's streets, which are divided into sectors. What sector do I live in? We are responsible for handling calls for service, conducting preliminary criminal investigations, responding to emergencies, enforcing traffic laws and investigating accidents. The Patrol Division consists of two Divisions; Operations North and Operations South, which is staffed by 3 Captains, 7 Lieutenants, 30 Sergeants, 15 Police Patrol Specialists and some 200 Police Patrol Officers.

On average, approximately 25 Officers are patrolling Tacoma at any given time. The City is divided into four sectors, yielding approximately six officers per sector. This figure emphasizes the cooperative nature of policing. If neighborhoods are to be safe, citizens must work with the Police Department in a joint attempt to maintain order.

In addition, twelve police officers are designated as Community Liaison Officers, with at least three in each sector. The day is divided into three shifts, which provides additional staffing between 1:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., to address the high calls for service requiring police response.

Each Officer responds to approximately 18 dispatches per shift, and writes six reports. All reports are electronically generated by the officers using a mobile laptop computer in their vehicle. Extreme detail is required in reporting as this will be the record of evidence to be used to charge and prosecute suspects. In addition, each Officer must keep a log of all calls, and account for all shift time. If property is taken, it must be tagged, recorded and deposited in the evidence locker. The officers respond to many different types of calls, and the calls are classified into one of three dispatch types:

Routine Response means there is no threat and no suspect present. The Officer will respond in the normal course of activity.
Priority Response means a suspect is at or near the scene. The Officer will respond immediately, making an effort to reach the scene promptly, but will generally not use lights and siren.
Emergency Response means that an immediate threat exists and is used only when a crime is in progress or life is threatened. The Officer will respond immediately, making an effort to reach the scene promptly, making full use of lights and siren.

The Tacoma Police Department seeks to keep the peace and maintain order throughout our community. Education and mutual compliance solves many more problems than making arrests. If a problem can be worked out, or compliance gained without arrest, then that is the preferred approach. In domestic disputes, where there is evidence of violence, threats or property destruction, State law requires that an arrest be made. Police are taught to be polite, to encourage voluntary compliance, and to use force only as a last resort to enforce the law.

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