Seattle Police Manual

1.110 – Organization & Function: Operations

Effective Date: 2/22/2009

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF OPERATIONS

The Deputy Chief of Operation is responsible for the day-to-day management of and has command authority over all operational and investigative components of the Department.

I. Operations Bureau 1

A. Operations Bureau 1 will maintain sufficient line and support units to provide adequate, responsive and continuous police services for the Bureau’s area of responsibility.

1. Patrol Operations Bureau 1 Administration:

a. Crisis Intervention Team (CIT): The Crisis Intervention Team will act as a liaison with mental health professionals and respond to crisis situations involving mentally ill persons.

b. Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT): The Hostage Negotiation Team will provide the department with officers trained to deal with incidents involving barricaded persons, hostage situations and extended “stand-offs”.

2. North Precinct: The North Precinct will provide uniformed patrol in all areas of the City north of the Lake Washington Ship Canal to the City limits bordered by N. 145th St.

3. West Precinct: The West Precinct will provide uniformed patrol in all areas of the City that are bounded by the waterfront on the west, the Lake Washington Ship Canal on the north, the I-5 freeway on the east and Spokane Street on the south.

a. Seattle Center Squad: The Seattle Center Squad will provide a uniformed presence on Seattle Center grounds and assist in staffing Seattle Center events.

b. Pawnshop Squad: The Pawnshop Squad will be responsible for inspecting and regulating the buying and selling of merchandise by licensed used goods dealers.

c. Retail Theft Program: The Retail Theft Program works with store security so that they can write their own shoplifting and criminal trespass reports instead of calling 911.

4. Metropolitan Section: The Metropolitan Section will be comprised of the Harbor Unit, SWAT Unit, Mounted Unit, Canine Unit.

a. Harbor Unit: The Harbor Unit will enforce the Harbor Code, perform rescue or recovery of victims of water mishaps and provide police patrol in Lake Union and Elliot Bay.

b. SWAT Unit: The Special Weapons and Tactics Unit will apply specific tactical response to priority crime problems in uniform and plain clothes.

c. Mounted Unit: The Mounted Unit will provide horseback patrol to be deployed as needed. The Mounted Unit will assist in the patrol function, crowd management, and public relations.

d. Canine Unit: The Canine Unit will provide tracking and detection support to patrol and investigative units, with the use of dogs.

II. Operations Bureau 2

A. Operations Bureau 2 will maintain sufficient line and support units to provide adequate, responsive and continuous police services for the Bureau’s area of responsibilities.

1. South Precinct: The South Precinct will provide uniformed patrol in all areas of the city south of the I-90 freeway and east of I-5.

2. Southwest Precinct: The Southwest Precinct will provide uniformed patrol in all areas of the city south of South Spokane Street and west of I-5.

3. East Precinct: The East Precinct will provide uniformed patrol in the area bounded by the Lake Washington Ship Canal on the north, the I-90 freeway on the south and the I-5 freeway on the west.

a. Youth and Community Outreach: The Youth and Community Outreach program will be administered by the East Precinct’s Operations Lieutenant.

(1) Drug Court Section: The Drug Court Section will provide a liaison between the Department and court. The Drug Court liaison will attend drug court sessions, disseminate warrants and information, provide training for officers and detectives, attend staff meetings with the drug court team and proactively search for absconders.

4. Traffic Section: The Traffic Section will enforce traffic laws, expedite traffic flow, and assist Patrol when required.

a. Traffic Collision Investigations Unit: The Traffic Collision Investigations Unit will be responsible for investigating all felony attempts to elude and serious vehicle collisions resulting in death, likelihood of death or substantial bodily harm. It will also provide technical support for the Collision Review Board.

b. Motorcycle Unit: The Motorcycle Unit will enforce traffic laws and provide motorcycle escorts as needed.

c. Parking Enforcement Unit: The Parking Enforcement Unit will enforce parking regulations and assist with traffic control.

d. Traffic Enforcement Unit: The Traffic Enforcement Unit will target DUI drivers and provide emphasis patrol to recognized traffic problems.

III. Criminal Investigations Bureau

A. The Criminal Investigations Bureau will investigate serious crimes, identify and apprehend suspects, recover stolen property, prepare cases for the prosecutor and assist in the presentation of cases in court.

1. Violent Crimes Investigations Section: The Violent Crimes Investigations Section will be comprised of the Special Assignments Unit and the Homicide Unit.

a. Homicide Unit: The Homicide Unit will be comprised of the Homicide / Assault Squad, Robbery Squad, Missing Persons Squad and the Bias Crimes Squad.

(1) Homicide / Assault Squad: The Homicide / Assault Squad will investigate felony and misdemeanor crimes and incidents against persons with the following classifications: homicides, assaults, kidnappings, abductions, carrying concealed weapons, natural deaths, suicides, industrial fatalities, disturbances, gunshot wounds, harassment, obstruction & resisting arrest, injured persons, intimidating witnesses, menacing, reckless endangerment, suspicious circumstances, missing persons, and felons in possession of firearms.

(2) Robbery Squad: The Robbery Squad will investigate felony crimes of robbery, extortion, and theft from a person.

(a) Fugitive Felony Warrants Detail: The Fugitive Felony Warrants Detail will investigate all fugitive arrests made within the City, and all Felony Warrants that are generated within the City.

(3) Missing Persons / Mental Detail: The Missing Persons / Mental Detail will investigate missing adults, found persons, assist Homicide / Assault Squad in the identification of deceased and unknown “John and Jane Does”, the investigation and identification of missing children, the publication of computer entries of missing children and the coordination of services with the Mental Health Professional regarding Department investigations of mentally ill persons.

(4) Victim Advocate: The Victim Advocate provides outreach and offers individualized advocacy to victims with special needs, children, the elderly and those with language or cultural barriers to the criminal justice system.

(5) Bias Crimes Coordinator: The Bias Crimes Coordinator is a detective assigned to the Violent Crimes Section of the Police Department. The Bias Crimes Coordinator has primary responsibility for the investigation of Malicious Harassment cases, involving violent crime or interpersonal violence. (Precinct Detectives have the responsibility for investigating non-violent Malicious Harassment crimes such as property damage). Should the number of bias crimes investigations adversely impact the Bias Crimes Coordinator’s ability to conduct timely investigations, a Homicide detective will be assigned to assist with these investigations.

The Violent Crimes Section, with the assistance of the Crime Analysis Unit, and the Bias Crimes Coordinator, has the responsibility of compiling yearly reports on all hate crimes as required by state and federal statutes.

The Bias Crimes Coordinator, with the assistance of the Training Unit and the precinct resources, provides information and training on “hate crimes” to the general public. The Bias Crimes Coordinator works with the Training Unit and others to provide annual training on bias crime laws, policies and procedures for the investigation of hate crimes. The updates are provided to Department sworn personnel and victim advocates.

2. Special Victim Crimes Section: Will be comprised of the Domestic Violence Unit and the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit.

a. Domestic Violence Unit: The Domestic Violence Unit will investigate serious domestic violence offenses and be responsible for offenses involving violations of court orders relating to domestic violence.

(1) Victim Support Team (VST): The Victim Support Team provides assistance to victims of domestic violence. The VST provides safety planning, crisis intervention counseling, transportation and resource location services at the request of patrol officers.

(2) Victim Advocate: The Victim Advocate provides outreach and offers individualized advocacy to victims with special needs, children, the elderly and those with language or cultural barriers to the criminal justice system.

b. Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit: The Sexual Assault Unit will be comprised of a Sex and Kidnapping Registered Offender detail and two Sexual Assault Child Abuse Squads .

(1) Sex and Kidnapping Registered Offender Detail: The Sex Offender Detail will track all registered sex offenders living inside the City. The detail will prepare sex offender bulletins, verify residency of released registered sex and kidnapping offenders, provide education to the public about sex offenders, and prepare cases regarding violations of residency requirements of sex offenders.

(2) Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Squads: The Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Squads will investigate sexual assault and attempted sexual assault against adults and other crimes where sexual motivation is the significant factor in the commission of a crime. The squad will also be responsible for the investigation of child abuse.

3. Special Investigations Section: Special Investigations Section will be comprised of the Street Vice Squad, General Investigations Squad and Special Investigations Squad.

a. Street Vice Squad: The Street Vice Squad will be responsible for interdicting street prostitution, and for prostitution enforcement in hotels and liquor establishments.

b. General Investigations Squad: The General Investigations Squad will investigate prostitution and under-age drinking cases.

c. Special Investigations Squad: The Special Investigations Squad will investigate crimes involving gambling and escort services. The Internet Crimes Against Children Detail is part of the Special Investigations Squad.

d. Auto Theft Squad: The Auto Theft Squad will be responsible for identifying, tracking and investigating motor vehicle related thefts, inspecting and maintaining records on all wrecking yards, scrap processors, and hulk removers that operate within the City limits.

e. Polygraph Detail: The Polygraph Detail will be responsible for all polygraph duties within the Seattle Police Department.

f. Fraud, Forgery, Financial Exploitation Squad: The Fraud, Forgery, Financial Exploitation Squad will investigate all check crimes, credit card forgeries, identify theft, crimes involving financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, fraud, theft by fraud, counterfeit and embezzlement cases.

4. Narcotics Investigations Section: The Narcotics Investigations Section will be comprised of the Narcotics Administrative Unit and the Narcotics Proactive Unit.

a. Narcotics Administrative Unit

(1) General Investigations Squad: The General Investigations Squad will provide the following functions:

(a) General Investigations: General Investigations will provide follow-up investigations on narcotics arrests made by patrol officers and prepare the cases for prosecution.

(b) Seizure/Forfeiture: Seizure/Forfeiture will use the asset seizure and forfeiture laws to seize assets that are used in or are the proceeds of narcotics trafficking; Abatement will follow up with property owners regarding locations of drug trafficking, per the abatement statute.

(c) Technical Support: Technical Support will provide surveillance, technical, and video imaging support to the Narcotics Section and other Department units.

(d) Camera/Alarm: Camera/Alarm will install, maintain and repair the VARDA alarms, 35mm and video camera surveillance at designated locations.

b. Narcotics Proactive Unit: The Narcotics Proactive Unit is made up of the Proactive Squads and the Federal Task Force.

(1) Proactive Squads: The Proactive Squads are comprised of undercover detectives that will investigate and target mid and upper level narcotics distributors. The squads also provide logistical support to the Precinct Anti-Crime Teams in addressing specific narcotics problems.

(2) Federal Task Force: The Federal Task Force will investigate major narcotics organizations in conjunction with Federal law enforcement agencies. The task force also acts as a liaison between these agencies and the Department.

5. ID Section: The Identification Section is responsible for identifying unknown suspects though latent print investigation, fingerprinting the public and issuing Concealed Weapons permits.

6. Photo Lab: Process camera images for development, processing, printing and archiving of standard negative film and digital imaging for investigative and Department needs.

IV. Emergency Preparedness Bureau

A. The Emergency Preparedness Bureau will coordinate the Emergency Management Section, Field Support Section, Special Events Planning and Mobilization Unit.

1. Emergency Management Section: The Emergency Management Section will coordinate the City’s preparedness for, response to, recovery from and mitigation of the effects of disasters and emergencies. The Emergency Management Section will ensure that public resources are used effectively, injuries and loss of life are minimized, and public safety is maintained.

2. Field Support Section: The Field Support Section will be responsible for coordinating the Department’s resources for planned large scale events and for the oversight of the Seattle Police Operations Center (SPOC).

3. Special Events, Planning and Mobilization Unit: The Special Events Planning and Mobilization Unit will staff SPOC during a large-scale event. They will also coordinate all TV, movie, and commercial operations in the city in cooperation with the Mayor’s office.

4. Arson / Bomb & CBRNE Unit: This unit will be responsible for the investigation of incidents involving explosives, and all chemical, biological or radiological agents. The Arson Squad will be the liaison to the Fire Department’s Fire Investigation Unit. V. Independent units and units that are assigned at the precinct level

B. Criminal Intelligence and Crime Analysis Unit: The Criminal Intelligence and Crime Analysis Unit will be comprised of the Special Investigations Squad, Organized Crime Squad Intelligence Squad and the Crime Analysis Squad.

1. Special Investigations Squad and Organized Crime Intelligence Squad: The Special Investigations Squad and Organized Crime Intelligence Squad will collect and analyze information on individuals and groups who are suspected of being involved in organized criminal activity, and will provide such information to the Chief of Police for crime prevention and decision making purposes.

2. Crime Analysis Squad: The Crime Analysis Squad will provide statistical analysis of criminal activity.

C. Operations Unit: Each precinct may have an Operations Unit. The Operations Unit within the precinct will coordinate the efforts of the precinct’s ACT, CPT, SHA Grant Detail, Precinct Bike Squad and School Emphasis Team.

D. ACT Squad: The precinct’s Anti-crime Teams will proactively address identified crime problems within a precinct.

E. CPT Squad: The Community Police Team will work with the community to address identified crime problems within the assigned precinct.

F. Equipment and Facilities Coordinator (Stationmaster): The Stationmaster will provide that the precinct has the supplies needed for daily operation as well as monitoring and maintaining precinct equipment.

G. SHA Grant Detail: The Seattle Housing Authority Grant Detail will work to address criminal problems occurring on Seattle Housing Authority property.

H. School Emphasis Team Detail: The School Emphasis Team will provide Seattle school students and district staff a visible police presence in the schools and at school activities.

I. Explorer Post: The Seattle Police Explorer program is designed to bridge the gap between youth and the police by educating and involving them in police operations, and to interest them in law enforcement functions.

J. Burglary Theft Squads (East, West, North, and South): The Burglary Theft Squads will be responsible for investigating burglary, theft, possession of stolen property and property damage.

K. Juvenile Squads (North, Central, South,): The Juvenile Squads will be responsible for investigating all crimes involving juvenile suspects except for those pertaining to homicide, arson and narcotics sales.

L. North Emphasis Task Force.

M. SPOG President.