NCJ Number
172077
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 21 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1997) Pages: 22-24
Date Published
1997
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article examines programs and recruiting efforts of the Vancouver, Washington, police department.
Abstract
Vancouver's 44 square miles are stretched in an east/west band, serviced by three separate policing precincts. Patrol officers work 5 10.5-hour days followed by either 4 or 5 days off, in rotating shifts which change quarterly. This schedule provides a natural overlap which allows for regularly scheduled training. The standard sidearm is an issued Sig Sauer P-220 (.45-caliber) and backup weapons are permitted within department guidelines. Body armor wear is mandatory for all uniformed officers; pepperspray is authorized and issued; impact weapons are straight batons and collapsible models are authorized; patrol cars are equipped with Remington 1187 semi-automatic shotguns mounted in electrically released racks; and supervisor cars have a mounted .223 Ruger Mini-Fourteen police carbine. Mobile computers are being installed in police cars and officer training in their use is a department objective. The department has three separate investigative sections, a bike patrol, a mounted unit, and a SWAT team. Integral to the department's patrol effort is their commitment to community policing and problem solving.