Field Services Division
The Field Services Division maintains order and protects our community by enforcing laws and is split into (3) platoons, (2) platoons (A Platoon and B Platoon) consist of (3) patrol teams each and are overseen by (2) Patrol Lieutenants.
Officers in this patrol division are assigned area to prevent illegal activity and assure the safety of community members. Their job involves many different kinds of activities, including writing tickets, making arrests, serving warrants, investigating crimes, and responding to calls for help. Each Patrol Team is assigned and overseen by a Patrol Sergeant responsible for supervision and leadership of their respective teams. Patrol officers often are assigned duties that require special skills and training. Examples of patrol assignments include Field Training Officer (FTO), narcotics or gang prevention teams, crisis response unit, K-9 assignments, bicycle patrol, and others. This system provides for 24/7 coverage, fulfilling requirements for minimum staffing levels. Overall, (40) patrol officers are allocated between the (2) Patrol Platoons. The patrol platoons are the front line first responders to calls for services from community members.
A third platoon (Special Operations Platoon) consists of more specialized police services which include Investigations, Traffic, and the Community Impact Response Team (CIRT), Code Enforcement, and SMART Liaison. All are overseen by a Lieutenant, and a Sergeant assigned to each team.
Field Training Officer (FTO)
FTOs provide new officers with the full-time training that is mandated by state requirements. FTOs also fill in as acting Sergeants when necessary. Petaluma Police Department has eight officers who have been selected and trained to serve as FTOs.
SPECIALIZED ASSISTANCE FOR EVERYONE (SAFE) TEAM
In 2021, the Petaluma Police Department took a groundbreaking step by becoming the first law
enforcement agency in Sonoma County to launch a mobile crisis response team. This innovative
initiative was inspired by the successful Crisis Assistance Helping Out On the Streets (CAHOOTS)
program in Eugene, Oregon. Collaborating with the Petaluma People Services Center (PPSC), the City
introduced the SAFE (Specialized Assistance for Everyone) program to our community. The SAFE team's
approach is centered on empowering us to achieve more efficient and successful outcomes in crisis
response, intervention, and treatment. The primary goal is to enhance the long-term quality of life for
community members facing various challenges. Responding to the community's call for assistance in
crises related to mental health, addiction, and homelessness, the SAFE program brings in trained
professionals to provide support either alongside or in lieu of police officers.
K-9 Unit
Our K9 Team boasts two exceptional Belgian Malinois, Jax and Cash, both serving as dual-purpose patrol and narcotics dogs. These skilled canines play a crucial role in the force, utilizing their keen senses to search for suspects, locate lost victims, and detect items containing methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. In a recent expansion, the team welcomed Pinky, a black lab pointer mix from Ireland, specializing in explosive and firearm detection. Unlike the patrol dogs, Pinky is not trained in apprehension and is known for her friendly demeanor, enjoying playtime and cuddles from the staff. The addition of Pinky enhances the team's capabilities in handling bomb threat situations. She was funded by the FY22 UASI grant which focuses on counter terrorism efforts.
COMMUNITY IMPACT RESPONSE TEAM (CIRT)
In 2023, the Petaluma Police Department's Community Impact Response Team (CIRT) continues its proactive approach to
address emerging community crime and safety challenges. Launched in 2022 through funds obtained from Measure U, CIRT
remains a highly visible and adaptive policing team, focusing on unencumbered proactive street enforcement and creative problem-solving. Tasked with reducing crime, improving traffic safety, and enhancing the quality of life, CIRT engages with the community by addressing key issues that generate a high number of calls for service. This flexible team concentrates on street activities such as narcotic enforcement, street racing, illegal sideshow activity, catalytic converter thefts, apprehension of wanted individuals, and high-visibility patrols in Petaluma. CIRT participated in several operations in 2023 including: sideshow operations, vehicle theft operations, joint probation operations, tobacco sting operations, bar compliance checks, undercover operations, and code enforcement operations.
Community Service Officers
A Community Service Officer (CSO) handles calls for service where no suspects are known and/or calls in progress. A CSO is not armed, wears a light blue uniform, and drives a white vehicle instead of the black and white patrol vehicle.
INVESTIGATIONS TEAM
The Investigations Team is part of the 3rd field service platoon. It's made up of 5 detectives assigned to headquarters, (1) detective assigned to the Northern California Computer Crimes Task Force (NC3TF), (1) Victim Advocate, and (1) Investigations Sergeant. Detectives are responsible for the entire investigation of major crimes which include homicides and suspicious death reports. They are also responsible for the follow-up investigation of the following crimes: Misdemeanor sex crimes, Felony crimes against persons, Arsons, bombs, and destructive devices, other felony or misdemeanor investigations requiring follow-up investigation outside the immediate Petaluma area.
Crisis Response Team
The Crisis Response Team (CRT) is comprised of three specialized teams:
Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT)
Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT)
Tactical Dispatch Team (TDT)
The team has been established to provide specialized support in the handling of critical field operations where intense negotiations and/or special tactical deployment methods beyond the capacity of field officers appear to be necessary. The primary focus of the Crisis Response Team is to provide tactical solutions that increase the likelihood of de-escalation and the safe resolution of high-risk incidents. The Crisis Response Team may be utilized to resolve barricaded suspects who refuse an order to surrender, incidents where hostages are taken, the arrest of dangerous persons, or any situation that could enhance the ability to preserve life and maintain social order.
TRAFFIC TEAM
The Traffic Team plays a crucial role in managing the Traffic Safety Program, which involves providing investigative services for fatal and major injury traffic collisions and enforcing traffic regulations across the community. Recognizing the significant impact of fatal, injury, and property damage collisions on the community, our Traffic
Safety Program prioritizes preventing such incidents on City streets. To achieve this, the Traffic Team concentrates on the three E’s: Engineering, Education, and enforcement. In addition to these critical functions, the Traffic Team oversees parking enforcement services with a dedicated team of two full-time civilian parking enforcement officers (PEOs). These officers are responsible for enforcing the City's Municipal Code pertaining to parking regulations, with a significant emphasis on the downtown business district and the enforcement of timed zones. The Traffic Team
includes the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement (AVA) program, led by one full-time civilian officer.