| EPD OPERATIONS
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PATROL |
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Officers of the Patrol Division provide twenty-four hour protection for the
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| EPD OPERATIONS
|
PATROL |
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Officers of the Patrol Division provide twenty-four hour protection for the
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citizens of our community. Uniformed officers are generally the first to respond to crimes in progress, automobile crashes, domestic disturbances, and many other situations requiring immediate attention. The Patrol Division of any police department is traditionally the point at which "the rubber hits the road." The patrol officer is usually the first link in the police/citizen encounter, regardless of the nature of the incident or complaint. Our officers are highly motivated to provide the very best service to our community. They provide both fast response to calls for service and proactive/preventative patrol activities to detect and discorage crminal behavior within our community. Officers are also called upon to assist with a variety of non-criminal matters, offer advice in civil matters, and detect and correct community order maintenance issues. They work closely with officers assigned to other divisions to promote the most efficent police service possible. Most of our patrol officers also perform additional, specialized activities such as 
In addition to responding to calls for service, these officers patrol the streets of our community in an attempt to reduce criminal activity. During night-time hours, they regularly check local businesses and residential areas to detect and deter break-ins and prowlers. They also search for impaired drivers and remove them from the roadways to promote the safety of the motoring public. During the day, they conduct traffic enforcement activities when they are not otherwise occupied, again to promote traffic safety -- an increasing concern in our community. Officers are always on the lookout for violations of traffic codes, including occupant safety, speeding, impaired driving, and other offenses that create hazards to the motoring public. They respond and assist merchants who catch shoplifters on a routine basis. Many local merchants are willing to prosecute those they catch trying to steal their merchandise. Patrol officers facilitate their desire by summoning the offender to sessions court on behalf of the merchant. Throughout the day, from day to day, the officers assigned to the patrol division are prepared to act in whatever capacity necessary to serve and protect the citizens of Elizabethton.