Bureau of Patrol Services

The Bureau of Patrol Services responds to nearly 73,000 calls for service on an annual basis.  The bureau is responsible for preliminary responses, vehicle crashes, and unusual occurrences reported in the 38-square miles of the City of Valdosta.  The bureau also provides community policing services to include crime prevention programs and provides for school crossing guards adjacent to designated city schools.

The Patrol Bureau consists of:

• Four uniformed shifts providing 24-hour law enforcement services
• A full-time Traffic Unit with members certified in speed detection devices, vehicle crash reconstruction, D.U.I. detection and standardized field sobriety testing, and a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).
• A full-time Crime Supression Unit identified as the Power Squad, trained in gang recognition and intervention and is dedicated to proactively patrolling high-crime areas

Patrol Services uses a wide range of specialized functions such as:

• K-9 Units (Officers partnered with a police dog) trained in patrol techniques and narcotics detection.  The department also has K-9 trained in explosives detective, as well has have a comfort dog that is used in the school system
• Airport Security Unit with officers assigned to security at the Valdosta Regional Airport
• School Resource Officers (SROs) are responsible for providing safety and security and enforcing Georgia law in Valdosta City Schools to ensure that students have a safe learning environment, and ensuring that students comply with the Georgia Compulsory Attendance Laws for school attendance
• School Crossing Guards are civilian employees assigned to ensure the safety of school children during the beginning and end of the school hours of operation
• Parking Enforcement personnel are civilian employees who are assigned to ensure that parking upon the city streets of Valdosta as outlined by the Georgia Code and Valdosta’s City Ordinance are enforced