PATROLS & UNITSUNIFORM PATROL
Officers are responsible for responding to all dispatched calls-for-service and crimes in progress. They are responsible for initial criminal investigations and the preservation and processing of crime scenes and are the initial response to vehicle crashes, building fires and medical emergencies. The patrol officers are generally the first responders for any call for service by the public. Each patrol squad is lead by a Sergeant, who is responsible for its supervision and administration. Patrol officers enforce all PA criminal and vehicle codes/statues along with local Township ordinances. Their vehicles are equipped with Mobile Data Computers (MDC's) which enable them to communicate with headquarters, receive calls, and perform motor vehicle enforcement. BIKE PATROL The Caln Township Police Department Bicycle Patrol Unit was established in early 2003 when the Police Department purchased four Raleigh mountain bikes. Officers assigned to the unit were sent to Bicycle Patrol Training in April of 2003. This was an intensive five day course consisting of patrol tactics, pursuit and control of suspects, maintenance of the bikes, officer safety concerns and a lot of riding. The Bicycle Unit was formed to provide a much closer interaction with the community than a patrol officer in a car. Of course, cars are essential as large jurisdictional boundaries require a motor vehicle to respond to calls from one end of the Township to the other in a timely manner. The Bicycle Unit is supplemental to vehicle patrol and therefore not necessarily responsible for routine calls. Therefore, the officers are free to have more open and direct contact with the public. It also enables the officers to provide a more aggressive pro-active patrol in areas not accessible by a patrol car. Without the noise and smells of a car engine the bicycle officers have the ability to use more of their senses to detect crimes and the conditions that foster them. The Bicycle Unit is deployed in many different ways. Patrols range from the business district and shopping centers along the Lincoln Highway corridor to high density developments. It is also used significantly in events such as the Strawberry Festival at Brandywine Hospital to smaller community events at Township parks. CRIME PREVENTION Crime Prevention strives to foster relations with our citizens, civic groups, and local vendors in the spirit of making our community a safe and pleasant place to live, visit, and conduct business. The following is a list of Crime Prevention Programs available to businesses:
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION The Criminal Investigation Division investigates all major crimes, any crime which requires extensive investigation or specialized training, and any cases as directed by the Chief of Police. The criminal investigators prepare search warrants, serve as evidence custodians for the department, and are tasked with the responsibility to investigate the most serious crimes that occur within the township, including but not limited to; burglary, arson, rape, robbery, assault, and child abuse. Investigators also conduct financial and identity theft investigations. In addition to these duties they are called upon to perform background investigations on all police applicants who are being considered for employment. EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM The Chester County Regional Emergency Response Team is a cooperative effort between several surrounding municipalities. This Team specializes in providing a strategic response to those situations above and beyond the capabilities of ordinary patrol duties. Officers selected for this duty come from the patrol and detective units of their home departments. All members of the Team are volunteers. Officers from the Caln Township Police and the Coatesville City Police Departments formed the Western Team in 1997. The Team continued to expand over the next few years to include officers from West Brandywine Township, Brandywine Regional, Downingtown Borough, Parkesburg Borough and East Fallowfield Township Police Departments. It merged with the Northern Team in 2015 to form the current CCRERT. The Chester County Regional Emergency Response Team responds to barricaded subjects, hostage situations, high risk warrant services and protection details. The Team can also be activated for other serious or emergency situations where their special training could be of assistance. The Team’s mission is to bring a tactical solution to an incident that is extremely dangerous or potentially violent. Most incidents involving an emergency response team have a much higher chance of a peaceful outcome. This is due to their specialized training. With specialized tactics, weapons and equipment many more options are available than would be available for the officer on patrol. Our Team trains at least monthly in firearms, tactics and physical conditioning. Training is also conducted in mock scenarios using roll players. Cross training is done with crisis negotiators that are also part of the Team. |
