Lt. Col. James L. Whalen
Patrol Bureau Commander
This bureau, commanded by an assistant chief, performs all primary police functions. Bureau personnel respond to citizen requests for police assistance, enforce criminal and traffic laws, investigate criminal activity, take offense reports, and regulate non-criminal conduct. Components of Patrol Bureau include the five police districts, the Night Chief, Patrol Administration, the Community Oriented Policing (COP) Coordinator, Special Services Section, and the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) Coordinator
DISTRICTS
The NIGHT CHIEF is responsible for providing a command presence for the Police Department during the evening and overnight hours. This captain position carries Department-wide responsibilities.
PATROL ADMINISTRATION, commanded by a captain, coordinates and reviews reports and other information submitted by the districts and Night Chief. This captain serves as the deputy commander/administrative liaison for the Patrol Bureau and reports to the Patrol Bureau Commander.
The COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING (COP) COORDINATOR is a lieutenant responsible for the progression of the COP philosophy in the Department. The COP Coordinator guides the districts’ Community Problem Oriented Policing (CPOP) liaison supervisors and CPOP liaison officers as they work to develop neighborhood-based collaboratives with citizens. The COP Coordinator serves as the clearinghouse for information on community policing.
SPECIAL SERVICES SECTION, commanded by a captain, is responsible for providing specialized police functions to enhance Department patrol operations. These specialized supplemental services are provided through the Park/Canine Unit, Traffic Unit and Vortex Unit.
Park/Canine Unit, commanded by a lieutenant, is responsible for all law enforcement activities within the Cincinnati Park System and oversight of all police canine operations. These tasks are carried out through the Park Squad, Patrol Canine Squad and Detection Canine Squad.
Park Squad, supervised by shift sergeants, has responsibility for patrol of the City’s 141 park areas, which encompass 4,765 acres of land. This squad is committed to providing a more visible police presence and improving safety in City parks. Other responsibilities include: response to citizen requests for assistance, enforcement of criminal and traffic laws, regulation of non-criminal conduct, reporting incidents and offenses, investigation of criminal activity, and enforcement of park rules. The Park Squad also represents the Department on matters concerning the planning and coordination of events within the City’s parks.
Patrol Canine Squad, supervised by a sergeant, is responsible for assisting district officers in high-risk search situations. On a cooperative basis, in conjunction with the mutual aid agreements, the patrol canine teams can be used by other police agencies within Hamilton County, with approval of a command officer.
Detection Canine Squad, supervised by a sergeant, is responsible for the completion of two distinct missions. The narcotic detection teams are responsible for assisting officers in detecting and locating illegal narcotics. The explosive device teams are responsible for assisting officers in locating explosive devices. The Detection Squad will respond to calls for service, be available for planned events, and conduct proactive searches. On a cooperative basis, in conjunction with the mutual aid agreements, the detection canine teams can be utilized by other law enforcement agencies within Hamilton County, with approval of a command officer.
Traffic Unit, commanded by a lieutenant, is responsible for coordinating the Department’s traffic enforcement efforts. It has staff supervision over the Department’s selective enforcement program and other specialized traffic-related programs. The numerous responsibilities of this unit include: radar and intoxilyzer training and certification, fatal accident investigation, assisting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) in aircraft crash investigations, and assisting the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Watercraft, in boat crashes. The unit also acts as a liaison and an implementation site for state programs such as the seat belt and holiday drunk driving programs. The unit supervises and coordinates private police officers, school crossing guards, and the Public Vehicles/Private Police Squad.
Vortex Unit, commanded by a lieutenant, is a highly visible, proactive unit that has a zero-tolerance approach to street crimes, drug trafficking, and quality of life issues. The focus of this unit is to seek out and physically arrest both minor and major criminal offenders by enforcing every law and employing every tool available to inconvenience criminals. By utilizing uniform patrols, mountain bike officers, plainclothes officers, and confidential informants, the Vortex Unit makes a positive impact in the City. The Vortex Unit assists the districts by targeting hot spots and providing additional uniform presence during high profile events.
The SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS (SWAT) COORDINATOR is a lieutenant responsible for supervising all SWAT officers and SWAT activities. All SWAT officers have full-time responsibilities in the various districts, sections, and units. SWAT trains as a unit on a regular basis and responds to hostage, barricaded person, and other high-risk situations as needed. SWAT is composed of two elements - Tactical and Negotiations. These elements complement each other and both report to the SWAT Coordinator.
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