Overview: Cincinnati's Police Districts

The City of Cincinnati is divided into five Police Districts, each commanded by a captain who is responsible for operations and personnel deployment.

Police officers assigned to the districts for uniform patrol activity are generally divided into three fixed shifts. Each shift is commanded by a lieutenant.  The first shift has starting times of 0600 and 0700 hours. The second shift has starting times of 1300, 1400, or 1500 hours, depending upon the service demands of each individual district. The third shift has starting times of 2200 or 2300 hours. Third shift is supplemented by a late-power shift and has a starting time between 1900 and 2100 hours. This increases field strength when the demand for police service is higher.

The districts provide uniformed patrols in a variety of ways. In addition to marked vehicle and foot patrols, each district contains a Mountain Bike Squad. These officers provide a full range of police services. The district efforts are supplemented by mounted and canine patrols as needed.

Each district has an investigative unit commanded by a lieutenant. This unit investigates crimes occurring within the district. When necessary, the unit coordinates these investigations with the Criminal Investigation Section (CIS) of the Investigations Bureau.

Each district has identified a Community Problem Oriented Policing (CPOP) liaison supervisor and an officer on each shift as a contact for the community to address recurring problems. Citizens can contact these officers via e-mail or the 24-hour CPOP cell phone. The goal is for all officers to adopt and apply the components of problem solving and community policing to address community concerns.

Each district fields a Violent Crimes Squad (VCS) supervised by a sergeant. VCS officers concentrate on responding to and investigating reports of violent crimes. They also serve outstanding warrants to arrest and incarcerate the subjects committing these violent crimes.

Each district assigns officers to perform specialized law enforcement tasks that include crime prevention, community relations, vice enforcement activities, traffic control, crime analysis, and warrant service.

• Special Events Unit: Commanded by a lieutenant, Special Events plans for police presence and coordinates the response of all City Departments for special events. As the vast majority of these major events occur in the Downtown and Riverfront area, the Special Events Unit is organizationally placed in District 1. Should a major event occur in another district, the Special Events Unit will assist that district’s personnel to ensure a proper police presence is maintained.
  • Marine Patrol Squad: Supervised by a sergeant, Marine Patrol provides police patrols on the Ohio River during events and activities occurring on the Riverfront. The Marine Patrol Squad’s primary function is to protect life and property on the river and its associated boundaries, while enforcing laws and ordinances when necessary.
• Downtown Services Unit: Commanded by a lieutenant, Downtown Services is staffed with personnel who are responsible for policing the Central Business District. Uniformed patrol officers and the Mounted Patrol Squad are assigned to this unit to provide a highly visible police presence in the Downtown Central Business District area. Through the use of foot, bicycle, Segway, motorcycle and horse patrols, officers are able to interact with Downtown merchants, residents and customers.
  • Mounted Patrol Squad: Supervised by a sergeant, Mounted Patrol directs all equestrian activities including scheduling, training, stable management, veterinary and farrier services. The Mounted Patrol Squad provides an added dimension to policing: visibility, mobility, and travel into areas not accessible by other vehicles.