The Cathedral City Police Department working “in partnership with the community” patrols approximately 21.5 square miles while providing service to over 52,000 residents. Cathedral City is expected to grow out to its sphere of influence which encompasses 55 square miles, within the next 10 to 15 years. The projected population will be over 96,000.
The patrol division is comprised of a Lieutenant, seven Sergeants, 25 Patrol Officers, and three Community Service Officers. In 2010 the patrol division responded to and handled 43,681 calls for service with an average response time of 4.8 minutes for priority type calls.
Patrol sergeants are responsible for the supervision of the officers out in the community. The patrol sergeant who is on shift is also referred to as the watch commander. Sergeants are responsible for reviewing all the reports that the officers write and citations. They also handle questions from the citizens in the community and investigate all complaints against a police officer.
The uniformed officers are the first responders to emergency and crimes in progress calls for service. Patrol officers respond to all emergency calls and non-emergency calls. All officers serving the community are well trained and go to training on a yearly basis to keep up with the changes in the law and to learn new procedures/techniques for doing their work.
As a patrol officer with Cathedral City you have the opportunity to work a variety of assignments. Possible assignments include:
- Filed Training Officer (FTO)
- Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)
- Bike Patrol
- K-9
- Vice/Narcotics
- Valley Wide Gang Task Force
- Motors
- Special Enforcement Detail
The patrol vehicles the department uses are the Ford Crown Victoria that is specially designed for Law Enforcement use. Each vehicle is equipped with a laptop computer which allows the officer to write reports, receive calls for service, and locate addresses in the vehicle just to name a few advantages. The department is continuing to keep up with technology as it changes. Some of the vehicles are equipped with the “lojack” system which helps locate stolen vehicles.
Community Service Officers respond and handle crimes that occurred in the past such as a residential burglary, stolen vehicle, and fraud cases just to list a few. The community service officer is trained in processing a crime scene, traffic collision investigation, and fraud investigations. These officers are a valuable resource to the department and allow uniformed officers to be available for crimes in progress.
The patrol division is what the public sees out on the streets in their everyday lives. These dedicated men and women are the first people that you encounter in person when you call the police department for assistance.