These individuals are the most visible representatives of city government and provide a wide variety of services to the citizens of Buena Park. Six Field Sergeants supervise patrol officers and three Lieutenants, or Watch Commanders, manage the Patrol Bureau. Working in the Patrol Bureau requires a variety of skills. Although the primary function of the Patrol Bureau is to prevent crime and apprehend criminals, patrol officers must also be versed in civil law, traffic accident investigation and enforcement, and crisis intervention techniques. While patrol officers are the first responders to most incidents, they are also often required to follow many complex investigations through to their conclusion.
Patrol officers receive extensive ongoing training in a variety of areas throughout their careers.
This training, combined with the use of state of the art technology, enables our patrol officers to provide the best possible police service to our community. Field Sergeants provide training and supervision for patrol officers and oversee all field operations. They take command of critical incidents and ensure that the patrol bureau is operating efficiently. Watch Commanders are an integral part of the Police Management Team and provide leadership for the entire Police Department after business hours and on weekends and holidays. During 1999, patrol officers arrested 4,143 adults and 593 juveniles, and completed 4,613 Field Interview Cards.