Patrol Operations are the backbone of the Police Department. Officers respond on a daily basis to calls for service from the public and handle varying situations that require quick thinking, professionalism and problem solving skills.
Division Commanders
Lieutenant Michael Gulino
Michael.Gulino@harrisonburgva.gov
Lieutenant Wesley Douglas
Wesley.Douglas@harrisonburgva.gov
Lieutenant L. Brooke Wetherell
Leslie.Wetherell@harrisonburgva.gov
Lieutenant John Hancock
John.Hancock@harrisonburgva.gov
HPD has four patrol squads, each consisting of ten officers and a K9 Officer, and each is supervised by two sergeants. The supervisors are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the squad and direct field assignments. Patrol officers with the Harrisonburg Police Department hold the rank of Police Officer (PO) I or II and then are promoted to Career Police Officer (CPO).
Patrol officers are using the Geographical Policing model to serve Harrisonburg.
PO I's are officers who are in the process of being trained and have yet to complete their 20 week basic academy and 16 week field training program.
PO II's are released for solo patrol assignments and receive a ranking insignia of one stripe once they have mastered one specialty skill area, requiring at least 40 hours of training.
The rank of Career Police Officer is reserved for those officers who have at least five years of police experience and meet certain requirements of the department's Career Development Program.
The typical patrol officer in Harrisonburg has an average of five years of field experience. They work 12-hour permanent shifts, either daylight or nights, depending on squad assignment. They patrol the City of Harrisonburg on a 24-hour basis in a variety of marked and unmarked police vehicles.
Selective Enforcement Team
Within patrol is the Selective Enforcement Team (SET) which is a group of officers that specialize in problem solving and reacting to specific areas of concern in the City.
Officers utilize various forms of approach, including bicycles, foot patrol, undercover vehicles, and high visibility action, depending on the circumstances.
The unit works closely with concerned members of the community and is very effective when communication lines are open, so please don't hesitate to call 540-434-4436.
Contact:
Sergeant B.J. Tusing
Brian.Tusing@harrisonburgva.gov
540-437-4408