The Raleigh Police Department is a full service police department, serving all areas in the city limits of Raleigh, and some properties which are owned by the City and situated outside the city limits (such as Lake Wheeler Park). Though RPD has jurisdiction at all locations inside the city limits and all properties owned by the City, other agencies sometimes take on first responder responsibilities at certain locations. For example, NC State University Campus Police respond initially to any emergency police calls on the campus of North Carolina State University, even though the main campus is located in the Raleigh city limits. Some law enforcement support tasks are outsourced to other agencies in the county. Crime scene processing is handled by City/County Bureau of Identification, and the county jail is operated by the Wake County Sheriff's Office.
Organization
The Raleigh Police Department is organized into five offices, with five divisions:
The Office ofField Operations is the primary law enforcement branch of the Raleigh Police Department. It is commanded by a Deputy Chief.
The Division of Field Operations oversees the six patrol districts. Officers assigned to patrol districts will carry out standard police functions such as traffic control, responding to 911 calls, and assisting the public. The division is commanded by a Major.
The Office of Support Operations houses the detective and special operations division. It is commanded by a Deputy Chief.
The Detective Division is the investigative arm of the Raleigh Police Department. It houses units such as the Vice Unit, Homicide Unit, Intelligence Unit, and Gang Suppression Unit. The division is commanded by a Major.
The Special Operations Division serves to provide additional resources to the field operations division. It houses units such as Selective Enforcement, Traffic, K-9, and Mounted. The division is commanded by a Major.
The Office ofCommunity Engagement is responsible for providing transparency and community relations. It is commanded by the Assistant Director for Community Engagement.
The Division of Community Engagement is tasked with increasing trust and transparency between the police and community. Its units include the Community Liaison Unit, Community Outreach Unit, and Youth and Family Outreach Unit. It is commanded by a Major.
The Office of Administrative Operations is in charge of the administrative and internal operations of the department. It is commanded by a Deputy Chief.
The Administrative Services Division provides personnel with a large amount of services to support headquarters, the police districts, and civilians. It houses units such as Training, Recruitment, Evidence, and Records. It is commanded by a Major.
The Office of the Chief is dedicated to providing support functions and services to the chief, as well as headquarters. It does not have any divisions, but it does house units such as Professional Standards, Finance, and Public Affairs. The Office of the Chief is overseen by the Chief of Police, but is commanded by a Major.
Generally, each district has 8 sergeants (2 per squad) assigned to Field Operations. A sergeant supervises a team of officers. At least one sergeant also supervises each specialized unit throughout the department.
Most officers with 6 years of service to the Raleigh Police Department are eligible to be advanced to Senior Officer. This is not considered a promotion, and no test is required.
Master Officer
Most officers with 4 years of service at RPD, or similar experience at another police agency, are eligible to test for the Master Officer classification. This is not considered a promotion.
First Class Officer
Most officers with 2 years of service at RPD, or similar experience at another police agency, are eligible to test for the First Class Officer classification. This is not considered a promotion.
Officer
This title is given to new officers upon being sworn in. It is also regularly used to refer to any First Class, Master, or Senior Officer.
Recruit
Officers that become Officer First Class, Master Officer, and Senior Officer wear tab patches on each arm under the standard shoulder patch, similar to how Sergeant chevrons are worn. The tab patches say “Officer First Class”, etc.
Vehicles
All marked Raleigh Police Department vehicles are a distinct blue and white, though unmarked vehicles are also used. The standard patrol vehicle is the Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility, while many officers within Special Operations units utilize the Chevrolet Tahoes, upfitted for police work. The Departments Motor Unit utilizes BMW R1200RT-P motorcycles for traffic enforcement. Several other vehicles utilized include; bicycles, ATV's, Segways, horses, among others. The Raleigh Police Department does not currently have aviation or marine units. Most marked vehicles are outfitted with some or all of the latest in police technology such as Mobile Computer Terminals (MCTs) with internet connectivity, LoJack receivers, Digital Video Recording, 800 MHz radios, GPS, and other technologies.
Older Raleigh Police Car Front
Older Raleigh Police Car Rear
Equipment
The Patrol Officers standard duty belt includes:
Smith & Wesson or Peerless handcuffs, either chain or hinged
Sabre Red Oleoresin Capsicum (OC Spray) 2,000,000 SHU "Pepper" Spray
Taser X2 Electronic Control Device (Issued to selected Officers once they complete the required training/exposure)
Patrol Officers may also carry a long gun which can be either a Smith & Wesson M&P15, AR-15 Platform, chambered in .223/5.56, equipped with a Surefire M500A Weaponlight, or a Remington 870 Police Magnum 12-Gauge shotgun also equipped with a Surefire light.
Raleigh also has three full-time Selective Enforcement Unit (SEU) Teams, which is Raleigh's equivalent of a SWAT Team. Officers assigned to SEU carry a wide variety of specialized equipment and weaponry including the M4 Carbine, Heckler and Koch MP5, and UMP-45. Additional specialized units within the department often field other items and pieces of equipment specific to the task which they are designated to perform.
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