Charleston, West Virginia Police Department

Infobox Police Department
name = Charleston Police Department

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jurisdiction = Charleston, West Virginia
sworn = 184
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chief = Brent Webster
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website = [http://www.charlestonwvpolice.org www.charlestonwvpolice.org] The Charleston Police Department, or CPD, is the official municipal police force for the City of Charleston, West Virginia. The Charleston Police Department is currently the second largest police department in the state of West Virginia, [http://www.charlestonwvpolice.org Department's Official web site] ] while being the largest municipal/city police department in the state. As of 2008, Charleston Police currently has 184 sworn officers, 2 Animal Control Officers, and 29 civilian employees. The Charleston Police Department has an organization of several different divisions, including a Patrol Division, Traffic Division, SWAT, Bicycle Unit, K-9 Unit, Community Policing & School Services Division, SEU or Special Enforcement Unit, and CID or Criminal Investigation Division. The current Chief of Police is Brent Webster.

Patrol Division

The Patrol Division is made up of four shifts, with each shift consisting of a Shift Commander or Lieutenant, three Patrol Sergeants, and 15 to 17 sworn officers and a K-9 unit. The Patrol Division is responsible for patrolling the city for crime and responding to metro 911 calls.

Traffic Division

The Traffic Division is responsible for enforcing state motor vehicle and city traffic laws, such as enforcing speed limits. The Traffic Division also sets up DUI and Safety Seatbelt checkpoints throughout the city. The Traffic Division responds to automobile crashes, and provides accident investigation and crash reports. Both metro 911, and citizens may report abandoned vehicles to the Traffic Division.

SEU, or Special Enforcement Unit

The Special Enforcement Unit works to deter street level crimes, such as drug activity or prostitution. The officers in this unit respond to, and investigate all types of calls and complaints. SEU often times will work along with, or assist the Criminal Investigative Division and the Metro Drug Unit.

Criminal Investigation Division

The Criminal Investigation Division, or CID, consists of detectives who follow up on reported crimes to the Charleston Police Department.

Other units

CPD has a Bicycle Unit and K-9 Unit, both of which work along side the Patrol Division.

Fallen Officers

Since the establishment of the Charleston Police Department, 8 officers have died in the line of duty. [ [http://www.odmp.org/agency/618-charleston-police-department-west-virginia The Officer Down Memorial Page] ]

ee also

* List of law enforcement agencies in West Virginia

References

External links

* [http://www.charlestonwvpolice.org Charleston Police Department]
* [http://www.cityofcharleston.org City of Charleston, WV]