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largest of the Akron Police Department’s three
subdivisions, it is comprised of over 300 sworn officers
and 7 civilians. The Uniform Subdivision is divided
into
two bureaus; the Patrol Bureau and the Traffic Bureau.
PATROL
BUREAU
The
Patrol Bureau is divided into five platoons and
provides 24-hour coverage in the City’s 12
cruiser districts. In addition to regular patrol
functions, the bureau utilizes smaller, specially
trained units to accomplish specific tasks and
goals.
These units include Patrol Operations, Special
Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.), Court/Building
Security Unit, Community
Oriented Policing Service (C.O.P.S.), Gang/Street
Crimes Unit, K-9 Unit, and
Akron Police Reserves. These special units have
been instrumental in assisting Patrol Officers in
completing their mission and creating a safer environment
for the citizens of Akron.
Patrol
Operations is responsible for the day-to-day
administrative needs of the Uniform Subdivision. They
are also responsible for documenting citizen complaints
lodged against police officers. They review investigations
to determine that they are complete, accurate, and that
the conclusion reached is properly supported.
Special
Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) is a call up unit
that is used to conduct drug raids, deal with barricaded
suspects and/or hostage situations, high risk arrest warrants,
and dignitary protection.
Court/Building
Security Unit was originally established as the
Court Liaison Detail in 1981 to provide security for the
Municipal Courts. In 1996 this unit’s responsibilities
were expanded to include providing security for the entire
Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center. The Court Liaison Detail
monitors arraignments and trials held in the six Municipal
Courts and has extended responsibilities for monitoring
the video arraignments transmitted daily from the Summit
County jail. These video arraignments have greatly reduced
the number of prisoners required to be transported back
and forth between the jail and court each day.
Community
Oriented Policing Service (C.O.P.S.) forges a
partnership between the community and the Police Department
to effectively identify and solve problems. During 2001
emphasis was been placed on targeting repeat calls at
specific locations. This has proven successful in reducing
the number of calls for service in the targeted areas.
The C.O.P.S. Unit continues to coordinate police participation
in the Weed and Seed Program for the City of Akron. It
has emerged as a vital link in providing proactive problem
solving that promotes partnerships to address the causes
of crime, fear of crime and other community issues.
The
Gang/Street Crime Unit was established
in 1996 with the primary mission of monitoring gang activity
and related street crimes. The Gang/Street Crime Unit
was instrumental in assisting the Ohio Attorney General’s
Office in the development of legislation specifically
directed at participation in criminal gangs.
Re-established
in 1996, the K-9 Unit
continues to support the mission of the Patrol Bureau.
The historical concept of the K-9 Unit has been redefined
to be more in line with contemporary police philosophies
and tasks. The unit consists of three officer and canine
teams. These K-9 teams are used primarily for drug detection,
building searches, locating missing and lost children
and crime scene searches.
The Akron Police Reserve Officer Program
supplements the department in numerous areas. Reserves
typically donate over 9,000 work hours to the city
each year.
The
Akron Police Honor Guard is a voluntary
unit of active Akron Police Officers. The unit strives
to present a cohesive and dignified image in the
various parades, funerals, and other law enforcement
related events in which it represents the police
department. The primary function of the honor guard
is to bestow appropriate honors on our deceased
active and retired officers. The unit also conducts
color guard duties in area parades and flag postings.
TRAFFIC BUREAU
The
Traffic Bureau has the primary responsibility of enforcing
the traffic laws of both the City of Akron and the State
of Ohio. The assigned officers follow up on complaints
from citizens regarding parking and speed violations.
The Bureau’s other units include the Traffic Crash
Reconstruction Unit, Hit Skip Unit, and Commercial Vehicle
Weight Enforcement Unit.
The
Traffic Bureau is also responsible for coordinating special
events like First Night, the NEC Invitational, Akron Aeros
baseball games, Ohio Mart, Alcoholics Anonymous Founders
Day, and the International Soap Box Derby.
The
Accident Reconstruction Unit investigates fatal crashes
and serious injury or felony accidents. In addition, this
unit supports all officer requests for crash analysis,
evaluates equipment requisitions and assists in criminal
investigations where motor vehicles are involved.
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