Rockwall Police Department - Patrol Division

Home Patrol Traffic Community Services Explorer Post# 1854 S.W.A.T. K9 Unit Bicycle Patrol Crime Scene

PATROL DIVISION
The Patrol Division is the primary provider of police services to the community. This service is comprised of traditional law enforcement activities and innovative, proactive strategies based on Community Policing and Problem Solving models. The key functions of the Patrol Division are to respond to calls for service. As the most visible member of the Police Department, the “beat officers” are the first responders to calls for service while patrolling the streets of Rockwall.

The Patrol Division is the largest source of uniformed personnel within the department, with strength comprised of 46 officers and 6 sergeants. The Patrol Division is responsible for the primary investigation of calls for service, community policing, traffic enforcement, and accident investigation. The division is made up of the following units: Patrol, K9, Traffic, Community Services, School Resource Officers and Special Weapons and Tactics.

Division Commanders:

Lieutenant Joe Florance

jflorance@rockwall.com
(972) 772-6736

Lieutenant Jeff Lutes

jlutes@rockwall.com
(972) 772-6714

TRAFFIC UNIT
The Traffic Unit of the Rockwall Police Department’s primary function is to gain compliance by monitoring the traffic behavior of motorist in the city. The unit is comprised of one sergeant, four motorcycle officers and two officers in unmarked patrol cars. These officers have received advanced training in Accident Investigation and Reconstruction which assists them when investigating major accidents, fatalities or hit and run offenses.

The unit focuses on areas of the city where frequent accidents occur as well as; areas identified by citizens as being hazardous. We believe that through community partnerships, we can reduce traffic violations and provide the citizen of Rockwall safer roadways to travel. The unit also utilizes state-of-the-art technology such as; the Kustom Signals SMART trailer, which is deployed in areas identified as having a high volume of speed related issues. This trailer is designed to make neighboring motorist more aware of their speed, in an attempt to gain voluntary compliance of traffic laws to ensure the safety of our citizens.

To address traffic concerns in the City of Rockwall, use the online Traffic Complaint form or contact the Rockwall Police Department at (972) 771-7724.

COMMUNITY SERVICES
The Rockwall Police Department Community Services Unit offers a wide variety of informative and proactive community programs. These programs are aimed at educating the citizens of Rockwall about their police department and ways that they might be able to protect themselves and their property. The Community Services Unit is located in the John Fitzwater, Sr. Community Services Center.

John Fitzwater, Sr. Community Services Center
2610 Observation Trail #103
Rockwall, Texas 75032
(972) 771-7765 or (972) 771-7769

The Community Services Center is typically opened Monday - Friday 8:00am until 4:00pm. Feel free to contact the Community Services Unit regarding crime prevention programs or to request an officer speak at your meeting. All services offered by the Community Services Unit are completely free of charge!

EXPLORER POST #1854
The Rockwall Police Department Law Enforcement Explorer Program is a program that is designed to introduce participants to all aspects of law enforcement. The Police Explorer program provides young men and women the opportunity to learn about the possible career choices that are available in law enforcement today, and it also offers participants the opportunity to learn about police techniques and procedures in a classroom and practical environment.

The Police Explorer Program was designed by the Boy Scouts of America and is administered through the Learning for Life Organization. The Police Explorer Program strives to build good character and promote good citizenship, while encouraging participants to develop personal and mental fitness.

Both male and female young adults are encouraged to join. To become a member of the Explorer Post #1854 you must be between the ages of 14 and 20 years of age, have parental permission if under the age of 17 and be enrolled in a high school and maintain a “C” average in each subject. In addition, you must pass a thorough background investigation and a review board. Once accepted into the program, each Explorer must complete the Basic Explorer Training Program which will be taught by Explorer Advisors. Explorers are volunteers and are not commissioned as sworn peace officers and have no enforcement authority beyond that of any citizen.

To learn more about the Police Explorer Program please contact:

Sgt. Steven Brassil

Email: sbrassil@rockwall.com or (972) 772-6776

Officer Chris Cleveland

Email: ccleveland@rockwall.com or (972) 772-6746

S.W.A.T.
The Rockwall S.W.A.T Team consists of 11 operators, 6 containment team members, 2 team leaders, an assistant commander and a commander. Additionally, the unit includes eight hostage negotiators who assist during crisis situations. These officers work in assignments throughout the department and are “called out” from their primary duties. Historically, utilizing a highly trained, highly skilled police tactical unit has been shown to substantially reduce the risk of injury or loss of life to citizens, police officers and suspects. It is the intent of the Rockwall S.W.A.T. Team to provide a highly trained and highly skilled tactical team as a resource for the Rockwall Police Department in the handling of critical incidents. The containment team was created to support the tactical functions of S.W.A.T. on any given scene. These officers are highly skilled and highly trained individuals who take on mission-specific roles within S.W.A.T. operations. The mission of the Rockwall S.W.A.T. Team is to support the Rockwall Police Department and any other requesting law enforcement agency with a tactical response to critical incidents.

K-9 UNIT

The K-9 Unit is utilized for the following situations:

Tracking - Canines are able to track the "human scent" and "ground disturbance" of suspects who have fled from police officers or from a criminal offense.
Building Searches - Canines are used to search buildings that have been burglarized in an attempt to locate the suspects inside the building.
Narcotics - Canines are used to locate illegal narcotics in vehicles and buildings.
Handler Protection - Canines are used to protect officers including the handler from assaults from criminals.
Criminal Apprehension - Canines are used to apprehend high-risk and violent criminals. This provides better safety for officers and citizens.

Both handlers are issued a take-home patrol vehicle that is equipped for their partner. Each dog lives with their handler and becomes a part of their family. The team trains weekly to stay proficient in each aspect of their job duties.

For questions about the K-9 Unit, contact:
Sergeant Larry Blunt
Email: lblunt@rockwall.com or (972) 772-6764

BICYCLE PATROL
The Rockwall Police Department utilizes Bicycle Patrol Officers in retail districts and residential areas during the summer months and holiday season. Bicycle Patrol Officers also participate in community outreach programs where they teach on topics like bicycle safety.

Officers assigned to Bicycle Patrol carry their bicycles on a rack mounted to the trunk of a patrol vehicle. This allows officers to deploy the bicycle at any time in an area that it is needed. Before each officer is assigned to Bicycle Patrol, each officer is required to attend a 40 hour police mountain bike school, where they are trained in many different aspects of bicycle riding and patrol work.

To schedule bicycle training programs or for questions, please contact:
Officer Chris Cleveland
Email: ccleveland@rockwall.com or (972) 772-6746

CRIME SCENE UNIT
The Crime Scene Unit was formed in 2008 and is made up of 5 officers 2 sergeants. Officers volunteer to partake in this assignment on top of their normal duties. Members of the Crime Scene Unit are available to assist 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Crime Scene Unit is responsible for assisting in criminal investigations by effectively documenting, collecting and analyzing photographs, latent prints and other physical evidence present at crime scenes and other locations. They also help recognize, handle, preserve, and package physical evidence.

Members of the Crime Scene Unit receive advanced forensic training from state and federal agencies in forensic disciplines which include crime scene reconstruction, photography, fingerprinting, biological evidence preservation and collection, crime scene diagramming and the use of alternate light source technology.