The Patrol Division of the Covington Police Department is responsible for answering calls for service within the city limits. Patrol officers of the division are the first to respond to all calls for services. Patrol officers are responsible for traffic enforcement, accident investigation, minor criminal investigations, business and residential security checks, assisting citizens, motorist by enforcing all local, and state laws.
The patrol division answers on average, over 9,500 calls for service each year, issues an average of 1,000 summons, makes 300 arrests, and works several hundred traffic accidents, just to name a few of their duties in the community.
The patrol division consists of patrol officers, corporals, and sergeants. Each officer hired by the Covington Division of Police must go through an extensive hiring process that includes, a physical, written test, physical agility test and an interview panel. After being hired with the division, they must successfully complete the 18-week basic law enforcement class at the Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy in Salem, Virginia. Officers also must receive 40-hours of in-service training every two years to retain their law enforcement certification. Officers who have special certifications (i.e. Intoxilizer, Instructor, Defense tactics, etc.) must maintain these certifications with regularly scheduled recertification classes Officers also must complete in-house departmental training that is offered throughout the year. These classes include firearms training, vehicle stops, handling domestic violence calls, building searches along with a host of many other topics.
All patrol officers are trained to use traffic RADAR, along with many others specialties, such as conducting traffic investigations. Patrol officers are encouraged to attend as many specialty schools as possible and to continue their college educations.
Routine patrol and traffic enforcement is perhaps one of the department's most visible tools. Its purpose is to provide safety for our citizens and guests to our community. Through consistent enforcement of traffic laws, providing accident investigations, identification and elimination of traffic hazards, along with strict DUI enforcement, are the proactive tools that the division utilizes to keep our city streets safe.
All patrol officers are trained to use traffic RADAR, along with many others specialties, such as conducting traffic investigations. Patrol officers are encouraged to attend as many specialty schools as possible and to continue their college educations.
Routine patrol and traffic enforcement is perhaps one of the department's most visible tools. Its purpose is to provide safety for our citizens and guests to our community. Through consistent enforcement of traffic laws, providing accident investigations, identification and elimination of traffic hazards, along with strict DUI enforcement, are the proactive tools that the division utilizes to keep our city streets safe.
