Patrol Units

ABOUT PATROL OFFICERS

Patrol officers are the most visible representatives of the Police Department and they are the first responders to incidents. They respond to events either by being dispatched from the 9-1-1 call center, or by seeing a situation as it is occurring, called an "on-view" incident. Patrol officers also get to know the area that they are assigned to, and the community members they serve within their beat. When not responding directly to calls, or providing backup to other officers, patrol officers use proactive time to combat ongoing crime problems in specific neighborhoods.

Because they come across a wide variety of incidents in their day-to-day work, patrol officers are given training in many different skill sets and undergo mandatory training throughout their careers to keep their skills sharp. Having a background and understanding of patrol work is absolutely vital before a transition to any other type of police work. Because of this, all sworn officers must work as a patrol officer for at least three years before they can be assigned to a specialty unit or be promoted.

HOW PATROL OFFICERS ARE DEPLOYED

Patrol Officers work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week year round. In order to patrol the city 24/7, Patrol Officers work on a rotating schedule that includes weekends and holidays, and officers are assigned to one of three watches:

• First Watch: 03:30 - 12:30
• Second Watch: 11:30 - 20:30
• Third Watch: 19:30 - 04:30

The Seattle Police Department operates within a framework that divides the city into five geographical areas called "precincts." These precincts define east, west, north, south and southwest patrol areas, with a police station in each. Patrol Officers are assigned to one of these five precincts, and from there are assigned to a sector and finally, a specific beat within that geographic area.

Patrol Officers are the first responders to 9-1-1 incidents and are the most visible representation of the police department.