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Patrol Division

The Patrol Division is the largest single entity within the Walnut Creek Police Department, and are the first responders to all calls for police service.  The Patrol and Traffic (Motorcycle) divisions are the visible uniformed officers seen on the streets of the City. 

All patrol services are based on geographical areas called sectors, similar in concept to the older terminology, beats.   There are three sectors, representing the southern (sector 1),  northwest (sector 2), and the eastern (sector  3)  parts of the city, generally dividing along the  North Broadway/ Mt. Diablo Blvd. demarcation point.  Each is a truly unique service area and has its own assigned manager at the Lieutenant level.

Officers are assigned sectors, or beats, by preference and seniority.

The Patrol Division takes initial reports of all cases, from the simplest theft on up to a homicide and as a generalist based department, the patrol officer keeps responsibility for the case until it is no longer feasible to handle at which time it is taken by the Investigations Bureau.   All new officers begin, and usually end their careers in the Patrol Division and it is essentially the job we were hired for.   All other assignments and duties such as Traffic Officer and Detective are considered special assignments and are not permanent. 

The Traffic (Motorcycle) Division is not really a part of Patrol, but its functions are similar.  Traffic officers are primarily involved in the enforcement of traffic laws (Vehicle Code and Municipal Code) and the investigation of accidents.  However, Traffic Officers are police officers and their exceptional maneuverability with their motorcycles allows them to be of great utility in searching for suspects and getting places in a hurry through downtown traffic.  And of course, Patrol Officers have traffic responsibilities and when Traffic units are not available will take accident reports as well.  Traffic units are generally assigned to specific areas but do not use the sector system that patrol does.  And they have considerable flexibility in their scheduling and deployment.

Because each sector is a unique part of town, we assign a Patrol Lieutenant to each area whose job it is to be a focal point for police issues for that area.  The current assignments are Lieutenant xxxx for Sector 1; Lieutenant xxxx for Sector 2, and Lieutenant xxxx for Sector 3.  Each has a particular viewpoint and approach to police operations within their individual area of responsibility, and if you are a City resident we invite your visiting the Sector 1, Sector 2, or Sector 3 pages, sponsored by their respective lieutenants to get to know your police services managers a little better.  Please feel free to contact them directly with any issues or concerns.

The map shows the general outlines of the Sector areas as well.  Note that the City interleaves many unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.  While we pass through those areas constantly, police services for incidents that occur there are are handled by the Contra Costa County Sheriff.  Traffic Accident investigation for unincorporated areas is handled by the California Highway Patrol.