Officers in Special Services work a varied schedule to meet the needs of the department. This is a new and innovative approach in dealing with law enforcement concerns. It is based upon the premise that the police and the community work closely together in new ways to solve the problems of crime, fear of crime, drugs, and other social and physical disorders. One of the primary tools being used in Community Oriented Policing is assigning a permanent beat to each patrol officer. This enables the officer to get to know the problems and concerns within their beat.
Officers work together with residents to determine long term solutions to reoccurring problems.
Community Oriented Policing does not happen overnight. It is an ongoing, ever changing strategy that will continue to evolve. The Fargo Police Department responds to more than 40,000 calls for service per year. These include investigations of homicides, sexual assaults, robberies, burglaries, thefts, arsons, traffic accidents, DUIs and other crimes. It requires both physical skills and mental abilities.