The Patrol Division serves the city north of Orange Avenue and south Hutchinson Island with uniformed officer patrols and a bike patrol unit. It also encompasses the city south of Orange Avenue and the downtown area.
Some of the points of interest are the Willie B. Ellis Substation, the St. Lucie County Historical Museum, the UDT/SEAL Museum and the St. Lucie County Marine Center
home to the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystem Exhibit, Seven Gables Visitors information Center, the Manatee Observation and Education Center, the Sunrise Theatre and Indian Hills Golf Club
The division, commanded by Captain Gregory Kirk, is policed by eight platoons comprised of 67 officers, each commanded by a lieutenant and managed by a sergeant. Two K-9 officers and a community service aide are also assigned to the district. The platoon commanders are: Lieutenant Carlos Villanueva, Lieutenant Robert Ridle, Lieutenant Thomas Smith and Lieutenant James Tedder and the supervisors are Sergeants Antonio Hurtado, James Gagliano, Caleb Gillette, Alecia Rock, Rodney Nieves, Daniel Flaherty, William Hall and Jon Smith. The operational base is the Willie B. Ellis Substation at 1220 Avenue D and 920 S. U.S. Highway 1.
Captain Kirk is also the coordinator of Weed and Seed Federal Grant activities, which includes the management of the newly created bicycle unit.
Bicycle Patrol Unit
The Bicycle Patrol Unit supports the customary patrol policing by providing an efficient and highly visible resource, especially in those areas with high automobile and pedestrian traffic.
In addition to patrol duties, officers in the unit promote bicycle safety at local schools and help to foster a better relationship with the community we serve.
Weed and Seed
Weed and Seed, a community-based strategy sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), is an innovative, comprehensive multi-agency approach to law enforcement, crime prevention, and community revitalization. Weed and Seed is foremost a strategy—rather than a grant program—that aims to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in designated high-crime neighborhoods across the country.
The strategy involves a two-pronged approach: law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in "weeding out" violent criminals and drug abusers and public agencies and community-based private organizations collaborate to "seed" much-needed human services, including prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood restoration programs. A community-oriented policing component bridges the weeding and seeding elements.
S.W.A.T
The SWAT team is a highly trained and skilled team of 12 officers, which also falls under the supervision of Captain Gregory Kirk. The department recognized that certain situations expose officers and civilians to extreme danger, which may require rapid deployment of a specialized police team.
The main objective of the team is to defuse dangerous situations with a minimum of danger to other officers and civilians. Some of the incidences handled by SWAT include hostage situations, barricaded subjects, high-risk search warrants and dignitary protection.
Each SWAT team member receives specialized training, weapons and equipment. The members must demonstrate a high level of proficiency with firearms and tactics during monthly training in order to maintain their position of readiness.
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