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(click & jump)The Operations Support Division Captain is responsible for coordinating and directing the efforts of a variety of units, functions and individuals appointed to provide technical support services to our police operations. This division consists of (42) allocated full-time personnel plus an additional (150) part-time/collateral/ancillary assignments. The Division's full-time personnel comprise (4) distinct specialized units: K-9, Mounted, Marine, and Traffic Investigations; plus (1) Training and Projects Support component for Operations. One sergeant is assigned to each of these functions.
Also, (5) part-time teams operate under the Division: S.W.A.T., Crises Negotiations, Bomb, Dive, and Honor Guard, which are staffed by (80) of the additional part-time/ancillary personnel who are allocated and assigned elsewhere throughout the organization for their primary assignment. Additionally, this division has the administrative coordination of two (2) specialized functions which operate primarily within the Patrol setting, being police motorcycle and bicycle operations. These comprise (70) collateral personnel (25 full-time motor officers and 50 full-time and part-time bicycle officers). Although ours is certainly not a standard/traditional organizational structure, we feel that this high percentage of personnel who possess specialized capabilities, and can perform specialized functions when required while performing other standard roles the other times, creates job enrichment and makes our entire organization more flexible and efficient.
Our mission expresses a commitment to help each of these specialized functions and their respective personnel be the best that they could be, and support the operations of our Bureau and our Department to the fullest possible extent. K-9 operations have increased in effectiveness while maintaining a low bite ratio and performing within all policy and procedure guidelines. Mounted operations have become more structured and efficient, providing an important support service to high visibility patrol operations. Marine operations have likewise improved in providing broad-based services with modest resources. Traffic Investigations continue to uphold the highest standards, while more effectively balancing an increased workload. S.W.A.T. has increased in activity and expertise, as has the Dive Team, Bomb Squad and Crises Negotiations Team and Honor Guard. Motor and Bicycle Officers maintain their high standards of training, safety, and performance; and esprit de corps has been elevated throughout these operations.
Many of the functions within the Division are high liability activities, which require close and constant supervision and regular training. Under the guidance of one Captain and a dozen sergeants (either full-time, or collateral/ancillary) these personnel provide a vast amount of specialization and expertise as a support function to the entire department in a problem solving environment. Within a community policing philosophy, these various specializations also provide training demonstrations and interactions within our community as well.
Operations Bureau-wide training, from the command level downward, has been emphasized, and many new technologies and projects have been introduced. During the past year, with the additional responsibility of project and training support, we have created a patrol force better trained and equipped to handle many critical high liability incidents. These include enhanced tactical training, effective field force readiness, and enhanced less-lethal training and equipment options.
THE UNITS...
Canine Unit This unit, very often a popular segment at public events, is often seen providing safe and immediate apprehension of felony suspects. It is manned by one sergeant and six officers who work with a total of seven K-9 dogs. Although this unit has flexible work hours and is continuously on call, it works primarily during the hours of 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. When not tracking or searching, members of this Unit are responsive to calls for service, and provide much needed back-up services to other units.
Learn more about the K-9 Unit.
Mounted Unit This equestrian squad, responsible for operations primarily in high profile areas, is directed by one sergeant, seven officers, and one groom. The presence and high visibility of a mounted officer is a positive influence in many areas including the beach, downtown, the many city parks and shopping centers, and the arts and science district. The Unit provides assistance in action plans and in crowd control at various special events.
The mounted unit is located and operates out of the Mounted Unit facility in Holiday Park. Horses are provided to this unit through donations from the community.
Learn much more (and read some good stories) about the Mounted Unit.
Marine Unit The Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s Marine Unit serves as a valuable asset to the community. This unit patrols over 100 miles of navigable waterways within the corporate limits of the City of Fort Lauderdale. This includes nearly 94 miles of inland waters and over 7 miles of ocean coastline out to the three mile limit. Fort Lauderdale is recognized as the “Venice of America” and the ”Yachting Capitol of the World” with approximately 70% of all Broward County’s navigable waterways.
The Marine Unit, assigned to the Operations Support Division, operates to meet the needs and demands of the elaborate waterway community. Marine Unit staffing currently includes a sergeant, 12 officers and a Public Safety Aide. Standard patrols operate seven days a week providing coverage in excess of sixteen 16 hours daily. Additional patrols are scheduled at random to ensure a safer boating environment. The officers provide traffic control and maintain a safe boating atmosphere during their day-to-day responsibilities. We are able to investigate all waterway related crimes and assist with special operations such as dignitary protection, and search and rescue missions. Due to our limited resources, it is imperative that we maintain a close working relationship with other waterborne agencies surrounding our community. Therefore, we constantly interact with the United States Coast Guard, United States Customs Service, Hollywood Police Department and the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Our efforts focus upon drug and refugee interdiction as well as boating safety.
In addition to the interagency operations, the Marine Unit coordinates many special events that incorporate the use of waterways within the City. Some of these events include the Winterfest Christmas Boat Parade, Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Whitbread Races, Dragon Boat Races and the McDonalds Air and Sea Show, an annual tribute to our nation’s armed forces.
Learn more about the Marine Unit.
Traffic Investigative Unit The Traffic Investigations Unit handles special and complex investigations of a traffic nature, and currently has (3) distinct functions: Hit & Run, Traffic Homicide, and a grant funded "Impaired Driver National Research Study". The Unit is supervised by (1) sergeant, and has (6) assigned civilian specialists, plus (1) TDY (rotated/temporary training) PSA (civilian Police Service Aide) and (4) TDY (temporary duty) police officers.
Read more about the Traffic Investigations Unit
THE TEAMS...
Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)
This Team is comprised of members from all bureaus within the Police Department, forming a core group of intensely specialized officers. Consisting of (1) Captain as Team Leader, (3) Sergeants as Team Leaders, (6) long rifle sharp shooters, (18) perimeter/arrest/entry officers, and (3) support (dispatch, vehicle, logistics) personnel. The SWAT Team has a variety of distinct functions. The primary responsibility is to provide reactionary support for hostage and barricaded suspect calls, snipers or other high-risk public safety threats, and serve warrants where high threat levels have been assessed. These members are specially equipped and highly trained to deal with these extremely dangerous and stressful situations. They operate under the direction of a SWAT Captain (Operations Support Captain) and three sergeants, who oversee all equipment, training, staffing and deployment activities. Additional functions of this Team include providing support for dignitary protection duties, working closely with U.S. Secret Service, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; providing training to other members of the agency; and interacting with the community through public appearances and static display demonstration projects.
As with many of the other units within the Operations Support Division, we are fortunate to have several State and nationally recognized experts and certified trainers, to meet the majority of our ongoing training needs for both the Team and the agency as a whole. We have developed our own State certified basic training school for the Team, as well as ongoing firearms certifications. We are currently expanding capabilities previously restricted to the Team -such as vehicle road spikes and less lethal munitions such as ballistic batons and chemical munitions- and making these response resources available to patrol force first responders, through budgeted equipment allocation and certified training schools put on in-house at considerable savings. Our goal is for the Team to be the catalyst for enhanced tactical response capabilities throughout the agency.
Crisis Negotiations Team As a collateral team, like S.W.A.T., these twelve members (comprising two rotating teams of 5 officers and 1 sergeant each) are skilled in human relations and investigations, and respond to all S.W.A.T. call-outs, as well as other volatile situations, in which individuals present a danger to the community and/or themselves by threat or actions of extreme hostility, and where de-escalation is desired. Having proven useful on many such occasions during the past year, we expanded collateral/ancillary participation from the agency to enhance not only the Team's responsiveness, but as in the SWAT evolution above, to enhance the training capabilities for the agency as a whole.
Bomb Squad Like the other collateral/part-time teams mentioned, The Bomb Squad is comprised of highly trained employees who are detached from their normal assignments during any time of need. Their function is to safely and effectively deal with the threat of bombs, removing and disarming any potential or real threat. They work closely with State and federal authorities, and have been trained in the use of highly sophisticated equipment. Requiring highly skilled, specially equipped, and highly trained experts, this Team of seven technicians has seen a much-needed increase in training and equipment over the past year, as well as that planned for in the current year ahead. Together, great strides have been made in improving Team capabilities, and an excellent reputation has been earned within the profession.
Dive Team The Dive Team also is comprised of members from all bureaus within the police department. Officers are highly trained in the area of underwater search and recovery, and are utilized to recover evidence and victims. They also provide assistance with the recovery process in cases of auto accidents, plane crashes, and boating incidents. The Team is staffed with nine officers, rotating in 2-3 teams depending on the scope of the dive operation, and one sergeant.
Learn more about the Dive Team
Honor Guard The Honor Guard, currently comprising a core of twenty officers and two sergeants, are hand picked and trained to provide a pool of personnel to select from in order to represent the Fort Lauderdale Police Department in a variety of frequently requested ceremonial capacities. Examples of these activities include funerals for police and governmental officials throughout the State, memorial services and dedications, sport venues and special events, and any event requiring a high profile, professional appearance of our local police department. During the previous year, we represented the City's Police Department at approximately 35 functions, and are already on pace to surpass that amount this year. As a strictly volunteer function, these officers -and in particular the two supervisory sergeants- spend countless hours in planning and preparation to represent our agency in a exemplary fashion when called upon, usually under very short notice and new locations and venues.
COLLATERAL FUNCTIONS...
Bicycle Squad As with the Bomb Squad, with the absence of a supervisory sergeant within this collateral function, various members and the one Certified Bicycle Trainer and Bike Coordinator report directly to the Division Captain on related issues. Again, taking advantage of an in-house certified trainer, and with an emphasis on training personnel, we put on all needed schools and annual refreshers in-house for all our fifty regularly assigned part-time or full-time riders who share our twenty-five bikes. There are currently seventy total officers trained to perform this function; and we have additionally trained several City Parking and Parks & Recreation personnel, and various neighboring jurisdictions. With Fort Lauderdale viewed as the leader in this area's bike operations, our cooperative training participation further enhances our working relationships with other neighboring agencies we partnership with during major events; as well as produced significant cost savings without having to go outside our agency for training needs. Our Bicycle Patrols continue to be a valuable asset to our highly visible community policing patrols.
Read more about the Bicycle Squad
Motorcycle Squad We currently have three Motor Sergeants and twenty-two Motor Officers operating twenty-seven leased Harley Davidson Police Motorcycles (The two additional motorcycles serve as needed spares while the others rotate repair and maintenance service). These officers have adapted well to a rather unique structure of performing daily operations outside of a traditional Traffic Unit Motorcycle Squad. Motorcycle Officers, like Bicycle Officers, operate within the Patrol Division, as a decentralized City-wide patrol function. Like the bicycles, the inherent value of motorcycles is their increased high visibility, accessibility, and increased mobility for general patrol service. They are also ideal for traffic enforcement and special escorts. Individual officer's patrol district assignments are at the discretion of district patrol Commanders; with motor team functions and related matters such as equipment and training overseen by the Operations Support Captain.
The highest standards of training, equipment care and job performance have been maintained, and steadily increased over the last year. Once again we are fortunate in not only having several certified trainers, but also the Operations Support Sergeant is a nationally recognized motorcycle instructor. We have utilized these skills to not only train new riders at great savings, and other jurisdictions at great professional recognition, but have greatly enhanced our ongoing rider training program to further ensure our safety record.
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