Durham Police Department (North Carolina)

Last updated
Durham Police Department
Durham-City-Logo17-Copy.png
Flag of Durham, North Carolina
AbbreviationDPD
Motto"To minimize crime, promote safety, and enhance the quality of life in partnership with our community."
Agency overview
Employees672
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction Durham, North Carolina, USA
DCLJONC-2018.png
Map of Durham Police Department's jurisdiction
Size110.5 square miles (286 km2) (July 2016) [1]
Population254,620 (July 2016) [2]
Legal jurisdiction Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
Governing body Durham City Council
General nature
Operational structure
Headquarters602 E Main St, Durham, North Carolina
Officers548 [3]
Civilians119 [4]
Agency executives
  • Patrice Andrews,
    Chief of Police
  • Melissa Bishop, Deputy Chief – Administrative Services
  • Joseph Kelly, Deputy Chief – Patrol Operations
  • Shari Montgomery, Deputy Chief - Investigative Services
  • David Anthony, Assistant Chief – Administrative Services
  • Mark Clancy, Assistant Chief – Patrol Operations
Facilities
Substations5
Notables
Award
Website
Durham Police website

The Durham Police Department is the municipal law enforcement agency of Durham, North Carolina.

Contents

Overview

The Durham Police Department is a full service police department, having primary responsibilities for law enforcement and investigation within the city limits of Durham, North Carolina. The department was established in 1869 to provide policing services to the residents of Durham and has undergone many changes in its structure and operations since. The most notable change occurred in the 1970, when the City of Durham combined both the Durham Police Department and the Durham Fire Department to create a joint public safety agency. The agency was soon split again in 1985 to form separate police and fire services. [5]

The Durham Police Department operates its own Police Academy through Durham Technical Community College. While the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Standards Commission requires a 16-week Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) course, the Durham Police Academy is 26 weeks. [6]

The City of Durham convened a Civilian Police Review Board in 1999 to bolster police accountability. The board consists of nine citizen volunteers who are charged determining whether DPD's Professional Standards Division abused its discretion in conducting an internal affairs investigation into the following actions taken by officers: use of force, unethical conduct and/or conduct unbecoming, and arrest, search and seizure. [7] Internal affairs investigators inform dissatisfied complainants of their right to appeal the case by submitting a written request to the Civilian Police Review Board.

Organization

The Durham Police Department is organized into five bureaus: [8]

District information

Former Durham Police Department Headquarters 2008-07-14 Durham Police Department.jpg
Former Durham Police Department Headquarters

The Durham Police Department's headquarters is currently located at 602 East Main St. Completed in October 2018, the $71,468,126 four-story complex sits on 4.5 acres and features enclosed parking deck for staff and a surface lot for visitor parking. [9] Police headquarters houses the fully digital Durham Emergency Communication Center (DECC) on the fourth floor. All police services operate out of headquarters with the exception of the Community Service Bureau, the Property and Evidence Unit, Uniform Patrol and District Investigations for Districts 1-4, which are housed at satellite locations called substations. [8]

District NameStation LocationArea of FocusUnits
District 1921 Holloway StreetEastCriminal Investigations, Uniform Patrol, Community Services & Crime Prevention Unit, Victim Services Unit, Property & Evidence Unit
District 25285 N Roxboro StreetNorthCriminal Investigations, Uniform Patrol
District 38 Consultant PlaceSouthwestCriminal Investigations, Uniform Patrol
District 42945 S Miami Blvd, Suite 135SoutheastCriminal Investigations, Uniform Patrol
District 5602 E Main StDowntown/Special ServicesCriminal Investigations, Uniform Patrol, Bicycle Squad, K9, Traffic Services (TACT & Motors)

Vehicles

Durham Police Crown Victoria 2008-11-20 Durham PD cruiser 213 rushing on N Gregson St.jpg
Durham Police Crown Victoria

The Durham Police Department utilizes many different types of vehicles to accomplish its mission. The primary marked patrol vehicle of the Durham Police Department is the Dodge Charger. Uniform patrol sergeants and K9 units are equipped with a Chevrolet Tahoe. While the Ford Crown Victoria has almost been completely phased out of the fleet, a number remain as spare line cars. Similarly, the Department still employs many Chevrolet Impalas for assignments not requiring marked vehicles as it continues the transition to a Dodge Charger and Ford Explorer Interceptor unmarked fleet. Downtown units use Trek bicycles and Polaris EFI 500 UTVs for patrolling nearby trails and special events downtown. The motor unit utilizes Harley-Davidson Electra Glide motorcycles.

The marked units are equipped with Panasonic Mobile Computer Terminals (MCTs) with internet connectivity, LoJack receivers, Coban Digital Video Recording, Motorola 800 MHz radios, and GPS. The marked vehicles are also equipped with both red and blue overhead emergency lights. Having red lights is not common among many law enforcement agencies in North Carolina, but the red signifies the department's previous history as a public safety agency.

As of 2017, the department issues a marked take-home patrol car vehicle to all Uniform Patrol Officers who live in the city limits. [10]

Equipment

The Durham Police Department issues each officer standard equipment. Certain additional equipment or accessories may also be carried, but are not issued by the department.

The Durham Police Department's Selective Enforcement Team (SET) utilizes special weapons including M4 carbines, Heckler and Koch MP5s, various non-lethal chemical agents as well as special armor and protective equipment.

Patches and uniforms

The Durham Police Department's Uniform Patrol wears navy blue uniform shirts and matching pants. The shirts have police patches on both shoulders. Officers utilize a gloss leather Sam Browne belt to carry equipment.

The current patch has been in service since 1985. It has a navy blue background with a red center and gold trim. The navy blue represents law enforcement while the red represents the department's history as a public safety agency. The center displays an eagle holding an olive branch and arrows which is reminiscent of the Great Seal of the United States. The center of the eagle has a gold shield and blue "D"-shape with the Rod of Asclepius over the top representing one of Durham's nicknames, "The City of Medicine". [11]

Older patches include a round patch with tobacco leaves representing Durham's history as a major producer of tobacco products. The Public Safety era patch was used from around 1970 to 1985 while the Durham Police and Fire Departments merged.

Rank structure

TitleInsigniaPositions
Chief of Police
4 Gold Stars.svg
Chief of Police is Department Head
Deputy Chief
3 Gold Stars.svg
Deputy Chief works in an Administrative area
Assistant Chief
2 Gold Stars.svg
Assistant Chiefs are in charge of a Bureau
Captain
Captain insignia gold.svg
Captains are in charge of a Division or District
Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant Insignia USMC.png
Captains are Watch Commanders
Sergeant
AK - Trooper Staff Sergeant.svg
Sergeants are in charge of a Unit
Corporal
U.S. police corporal rank (black and yellow).svg
Senior Patrol Officer/ Investigator
Police Officer II
Police Recruit

[12] [13]

Fallen officers

Officer Name [14] End of WatchIncident Type
Sergeant Gill P. Cates5/28/1913Gunfire
Detective Roland A. Gill6/10/1933Gunfire
Patrolman J. Clarence Price12/3/1939Motorcycle Accident
Patrolman Shirley Ladd1/1/1943Motorcycle Accident
Investigator Larry Douglas Bullock4/29/1976Gunfire
Officer Gary E. Fletcher2/16/1978Accidental
Corporal Billy Thomas Gregory4/24/2004Heart Attack
Officer Charles J. Callemyn2/17/2007Automobile Crash

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California State Police</span> Former law enforcement agency in California, USA.

The California State Police (CSP) was the state-level security police agency from 1887 to 1995 for the U.S. state of California. It merged with the California Highway Patrol in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York City Police Department Highway Patrol</span> Highway Patrol in New York City

The Highway Patrol are specialized units part of the Highway District with the Transportation Bureau of the New York City Police Department. The Highway Patrol is primarily responsible for patrolling and maintaining traffic safety on limited-access highways within New York City. The Highway Patrol's other duties and roles include accident investigations, advanced driver and radar/laser speed enforcement training for NYPD officers, field sobriety testing at the various testing locations in each Patrol Borough, dignitary and parade escorts, hazardous material and truck traffic enforcement, anti-drag racing programs, and anti-terrorist checkpoints at key bridges and intersections in the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia</span> Local law enforcement agency of Washington, D.C., United States

The Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia (MPDC), more commonly known locally as the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and, colloquially, DC Police, is the primary law enforcement agency for the District of Columbia, in the United States. With approximately 3,400 officers and 600 civilian staff, it is the sixth-largest municipal police department in the United States. The department serves an area of 68 square miles (180 km2) and a population of over 700,000 people. Established on August 6, 1861, the MPD is one of the oldest police departments in the United States. The MPD headquarters is at the Henry J. Daly Building, located on Indiana Avenue in Judiciary Square across the street from the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The department's mission is to "safeguard the District of Columbia and protect its residents and visitors with the highest regard for the sanctity of human life". The MPD's regulations are compiled in title 5, chapter 1 of the District of Columbia Code.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pennsylvania State Police</span> Statewide law enforcement agency of Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) is the state police agency of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, responsible for statewide law enforcement. The Pennsylvania State Police is a full service law enforcement agency which handles both traffic and criminal law enforcement. The Pennsylvania State Police was founded in 1905 by order of Governor Samuel Pennypacker, by signing Senate Bill 278 on May 2, 1905. The bill was signed in response to the Great Anthracite Strike of 1902. Leading up to the Anthracite Strike, private police forces were used by mine and mill owners to stop worker strikes. The inability or refusal of local police or sheriffs' offices to enforce the law directly influenced the signing of Bill 278. The Anthracite Strike lasted from May 15 to October 23, 1902, and was ended with the help of Theodore Roosevelt, the sitting president at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michigan State Police</span> The state police agency for the state of Michigan

The Michigan State Police (MSP) is the state police agency for the U.S. state of Michigan. The MSP is a full-service law enforcement agency, with its sworn members having full police powers statewide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fort Worth Police Department</span> Law enforcement agency

The Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) is the police department of Fort Worth, Texas, United States. Neil Noakes is the Chief of Police.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illinois State Police</span> State police force of Illinois, US

The Illinois State Police (ISP) is the state police agency of the U.S. state of Illinois. The Illinois State Police is responsible for traffic safety on more than 300,000 miles of total roadway, including 2,185 miles of interstate highways and 15,969 miles of state highways. Currently, almost 3,000 sworn and civilian personnel make up the Illinois State Police.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virginia State Police</span> State police force for Virginia, US

The Virginia State Police, officially the Virginia Department of State Police, conceived in 1919 and established in 1932, is the state police force for the U.S. state of Virginia. The agency originated out of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles as an inspector and enforcer of highway laws. It is currently one of fourteen agencies within the Cabinet Secretariat of Public Safety. On January 18, 2018, Gary T. Settle was sworn in as Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. Colonel Settle replaced retiring Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, who had served since 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puerto Rico Police</span> Law enforcement agency

The Puerto Rico Police, officially the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, is a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the entire Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It is a division of the Puerto Rico Department of Public Safety, alongside the Puerto Rico Special Investigations Bureau and the Puerto Rico Municipal Police and handles both traffic and criminal law enforcement in the commonwealth. As of 2020, the Puerto Rico Police force had 11,532 members. It is organized into thirteen regions within the island for operational purposes. Its headquarters are located at 601 Franklin D. Roosevelt Avenue in San Juan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Mexico State Police</span> Law enforcement agency

The New Mexico State Police (NMSP) is the law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of New Mexico. Administered by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, it has jurisdiction anywhere in the state, often working in tandem with local and federal law enforcement. Founded in 1905, NMSP's official mission is to protect the lives, property and constitutional rights of the people of New Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Carolina State Highway Patrol</span> Highway patrol agency for North Carolina, US

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) is the highway patrol agency for North Carolina which has no per-se "state police" agency. The Patrol has jurisdiction anywhere in the state except for federal or military installations and on the Cherokee Indian Reservation or on Cherokee outlying lands in the western mountains. NCSHP personnel at times conduct formations, inspections, honor guard activities. The primary mission of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol is to ensure safe and efficient transportation on the streets and highways, reduce crime, protect against terrorism, enforce motor vehicle laws, and respond to natural and man-made disasters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tennessee Highway Patrol</span> State Patrol organization for the U.S. state of Tennessee

The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is the State Patrol organization for the U.S. state of Tennessee, responsible for enforcing all federal and state laws relating to traffic on the state's federal and state highways. The agency was created to protect the lives, property, and constitutional rights of people in Tennessee. The THP is a division of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of California police departments</span> Law enforcement agency

The police departments of the University of California system are charged with providing law enforcement to each of the system's campuses.

The New Jersey Transit Police Department (NJTPD) is a transit police agency of the New Jersey Transit Corporation in the state of New Jersey. As provided by NJS Title 27:25-15.1, New Jersey Transit Police Officers have "general authority, without limitation, to exercise police powers and duties, as provided by law for police officers and law enforcement officers, in all criminal and traffic matters at all times throughout the State and, in addition, to enforce such rules and regulations as the NJ Transit Corporation shall adopt and deem appropriate."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maryland Natural Resources Police</span> Law enforcement arm of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is the law enforcement arm of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), tasked with enforcing laws on the state's public lands and waterways, protecting fish and wildlife, and leading search and rescue efforts. The Natural Resources Police is also the state's maritime homeland security agency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department</span> Public Safety in New York City area

The Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department (RIPSD) in New York City provides safety and security service to residents of Roosevelt Island, and the Manhattan and Roosevelt Islands stations of the Roosevelt Island Tramway, because of the contract that the State of New York made with New York City in 1968 which gave the state a 99-year lease on the land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State police (United States)</span> Police department of a U.S. state

In the United States, the state police is a police body unique to each U.S. state, having statewide authority to conduct law enforcement activities and criminal investigations. In general, state police officers or highway patrol officers, known as state troopers, perform functions that do not fall within the jurisdiction of a county’s sheriff, such as enforcing traffic laws on state highways and interstates, overseeing security of state capitol complexes, protecting governors, training new officers for local police forces too small to operate an academy and providing technological and scientific services. They also support local police and help to coordinate multi-jurisdictional task force activity in serious or complicated cases in states that grant full police powers statewide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raleigh Police Department</span> Law enforcement agency

The Raleigh Police Department is the municipal law enforcement agency of Raleigh, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McKeesport Police Department</span> Law enforcement agency

The McKeesport Police Department, commonly referred to as McKeesport Police, is the primary law enforcement agency for the City of McKeesport, Pennsylvania. The department employs over 50 officers, and serves an area of 6.47mi² and population of approximately 21,000, including the borough of Dravosburg. It is the second largest municipal law enforcement agency in Allegheny County.

References

  1. "Demographics | Durham, NC". www.durhamnc.gov.
  2. https://durhamnc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12973/Durham-Population-July-2016 [ dead link ]
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-08-24. Retrieved 2018-06-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "City of Durham - Chief's Message". Archived from the original on 2013-08-29. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  5. "City of Durham - DPD History". Archived from the original on 2013-12-14. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  6. "Durham Police Academy | Durham, NC". durhamnc.gov. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  7. "Civilian Police Review Board | Durham, NC".
  8. 1 2 "City of Durham - Police Department Divisions and Units". Archived from the original on 2013-12-14. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  9. "Durham Police Headquarters Complex | Durham, NC". durhamnc.gov. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  10. "News and Observer".
  11. "Durham, NC Things to Do, Hotels, Events, Dining & Vacation Guide".
  12. "City of Durham Police Department: Executive Command" . Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  13. "Durham Police Department: Staff Directory" . Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  14. "Durham Police Department, North Carolina, Fallen Officers".