Field Services Division

Field Services Division

Police Operations creates and maintains a feeling of security in the community and to work with the citizens of Atwater to provide them the best service possible. To provide twenty-four-hour patrol service for the community and to respond to all “Calls for Service.” To resolve conflicts and identify potential problems of a serious nature. To provide community relations for crime prevention and crime reduction.

The Patrol Bureau has the most contact with the community. Of the 32 sworn police officers who work for the City of Atwater, the majority are assigned to the patrol bureau and in uniform.

The heart and soul of the Field Operations Division is the uniformed police officer who is responsible for providing the round-the-clock “first responder” capability of the Police Department. Many of these officers work nights, weekends, and holidays, in good weather and in bad. The officers of the Patrol Bureau respond to all types of calls, from parking complaints to homicides. When not answering calls for service, officers are responsible for self-initiated activity in either enforcing our laws or preventing crime through their interaction with the public.

The Field Services Division also stations officers to specialized assignments which include the Detective Bureau, Street Crimes Unit, Merced Area Narcotics Task Force, Merced Area Gang Task Force, School Resource Officer Program, and Traffic Officer.

This Division also includes:

Reserve Officer Program

Volunteer Program

Chaplin Program

Police Cadet Program