Dobson Patrol Division | Central Patrol Division | Falcon Patrol Division Superstition Patrol District | Law Enforcement for Youth Programs | Patrol Resources Division | Teleserve & Callback | Holding Facility | Animal Control Unit | Municipal Security | Tactical Team | K9 | Warrant Unit | Traffic Section | FTO Unit | Aviation Section | Reserve Unit

Patrol Resources Division

The Patrol Resources Division is a combination of several units that support the patrol function of the Mesa Police Department.

The Teleserve and Callback Unit is responsible for greeting visitors to the Headquarters building, answering telephone requests for information and referrals, and taking reports of minor crimes. The unit handles 10,000 incoming phone calls; 4,000 lobby visitors; and writes more than 1,000 police reports per month. The Teleserve and Callback Unit completed a transition to civilian supervision during the first quarter of 2001 with the addition of four civilian Teleserve shift supervisors and a civilian manager. This transition has resulted in more stability and consistency within the unit, as well as offering greater promotional opportunities for civilian members.

The Mesa Police Department's Holding Facility is a temporary holding facility designed to hold a prisoner for no more than 24 hours. The nineteen member staff booked an average of 1,000 prisoners per month into the Holding Facility in 2001. The six sworn transportation officers assigned to this unit are responsible for transporting prisoners to and from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office facilities. The City of Mesa In-Custody Court is also located in the Holding Facility. Here, Mesa City Magistrates handle Initial Appearance and sentencing sessions for the in-custody prisoners. During the first quarter of 2001 the Holding Facility made a transition from sworn supervision to civilian supervision and management with the addition of five civilian shift supervisors and a civilian manager, which oversees the Holding Facility as well as the Teleserve/Callback Unit and the Animal Control Unit. This has provided greater stability and expertise in the facility as well as additional promotional opportunities for civilian members. During this year the Holding Facility supervisory staff made visits to various other holding facilities around the valley to view their operations. As a result, a number of procedural changes were made to enhance security and make the Holding Facility operations more efficient.

The Animal Control Unit is responsible for all animal related incidents within the city, including animal bites, loose animals, unsanitary premises, animal pickups, noise disturbances by animals, warnings, citations, and animal regulations and restrictions.  The Unit includes seven field officers who process an average of 1,000 calls per month with coverage on day and swing shift. An average of 61 bite reports are written and 425 animals are impounded each month. (Photo at left: Animal Control Officer picking up a rattlesnake.)

In addition, by participating in safety fairs, school and community presentations, mobile animal clinics, and department activities the Unit promotes the licensing of dogs, vaccination and sterilization of pets, and proper care of animals. Due to a civilian reorganization, the Animal Control Unit is now under the supervision of the Support Services Administrator, resulting in greater stability and improved communication. (Photo at right: Animal Control Officers interacting with public a a G.A.I.N. event.)  For more information about Animal Control, visit www.Mesaaz.gov/police/animal_control/default.aspx.

The Municipal Security Unit is comprised of 25 civilian Municipal Security Officers and three Lead Municipal Security Officers (MSOs), three Security Shift Supervisors, a Program Assistant, Unit Coordinator, and Unit Administrator. The Municipal Security Office is located at the Mesa City Plaza Building, Suite 180, with the Administration Office located in Suite 100. Through roving foot, golf cart, vehicle, and bicycle patrols, the Unit provides on-site security for city buildings, property and personnel, as well as added security in downtown parking lots and garages. There are currently seven sites where MSOs are located: Main Library, Mesa City Plaza, Municipal Building, East Mesa Service Center, South Center Campus, Southwest Museum and the City Court Building. Photo at left: Municipal Security Officers Nadine Arriaga (right) and Rich Buchaklian (left) stand in front of the T-Rex display at the Mesa Southwest Museum.

MSOs go through comprehensive security training once assigned to the Unit. MSOs also receive specialized training on the x-ray, magnetometer, and handheld wand for the court facility. MSOs recorded a total of 188 security incident reports and responded to 5,060 alarms from the various municipal sites. The Unit is responsible for administering and monitoring the electronic access control system being utilized in several city buildings. The Unit also addresses a variety of security needs for city departments and provides training on security issues for city employees. Funding has been approved for a monitoring station to tie in all CCTV and C-Cure assets for the City of Mesa. Using a phase-in approach, the station will be managed by one supervisor and nine security officers when brought to a full complement and will operate on a 24/7 schedule. In January 2002 a Security Systems Technician will be added to the staff to provide new installation, oversight, preventative maintenance, and to correct system failures in a timely manner. A new post will be added at the Main Police Station utilizing two security officers to provide an interface with vendors at the facility and to provide escorts where required. For information on becoming a Municipal Security Officer, see their website at www.Mesaaz.gov/police/municipal_security/default.aspx.

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