Lancaster Ohio Police Department Patrol Bureau

To Protect and Serve

The Lancaster Police Department
Patrol Bureau

The Patrol Bureau of the Lancaster Police Department is the largest subdivision of the department. They are the "backbone" of the agency and are the first responders on all crimes and police related emergencies. Fifty-four officers and supervisors staff the bureau. Patrol responds to over 50,000 requests for service annually. Three shifts or "watches" organize the Patrol Bureau. Patrol officers logged over 300,000 miles of patrol mileage during the year 2003. Patrol maintains a fleet of seventeen marked vehicles.

A commander supervises each watch and is responsible for all activities on the watch. Watch commanders can be contacted by telephone at 740-687-6683 ext 3.

First Watch Commander Capt. Tim Smith 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Second Watch Commander Capt. Adam Pillar 3 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Third Watch Commander Capt. David Reynolds 11 p.m. - 7 a.m.

Paddy Wagon

The Patrol Bureau is supported by twelve communications technicans. These individuals dispatch both fire and police calls and operate the 911 center. Communications technicans process thousands of telephone calls each year ranging from requests for information to emergencies.

The Lancaster Police Department introduced their new bicycle patrol in July 2001. It gives local police a new way of keeping our citizens safe. The funding for the bicycles ($990 each), came from a federal block grant.

The program has been well received as it will allow officers in Lancaster to go where police cruisers can't. Lancaster Police Chief Randy Lutz says it will "allow us to move into areas more quietly than if we use a cruiser and it will be quicker than a foot patrol." Lt. Dan Patten, one of the organizers of the new patrol adds: "It can also be used in high crime areas, where an officer on a bike can get into a neighborhood less visibly than in a cruiser." This means our city streets and neighborhoods will be safer for citizens.

The bicycle patrol operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week involving one to three officers per shift. This increases police visibility in Lancaster neighborhoods. This fulfills one of the goals of this community policing program to get officers out of the cruisers and onto the city streets. It is important because the bicycle patrol program not only allows the officers to get to know the people in the neighborhoods, but the people to get to know the officers.

An editorial July 2001 in the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette commended the Lancaster Police Department and city officials for developing this program.