Yale University Police Department-Department Information

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Patrol Division

The uniformed patrol division is the most highly visible component of the department. Working twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the patrol division represents the bulk of the department's staffing.

• Execute the law enforcement responsibilities of the department through preventive patrol and active enforcement of criminal and traffic laws;

• Perform a variety of diverse services including enforcement, general assistance, emergency assistance, public information and directions, alleviating public hazards;

The members of the patrol division work in partnership with the Yale and New Haven communities, the New Haven Police Department and various law enforcement and social service agencies in providing their high quality service.

The division is commanded by the Patrol Coordinator, who reports to the Chief and is responsible for all uniformed functions of the department. The bicycle and motorcycle units, scheduling, special events, payroll, worker's compensation and fleet management are all supportive functions under the Patrol Coordinator.

The Assistant Patrol Coordinator is a civilian responsible for scheduling, special events, payroll and worker's compensation. The Assistant Patrol Coordinator works with the Patrol Coordinator and Shift Commanders to ensure that sufficient staffing is available to meet the department's responsibilities.

Shift Commanders are Lieutenants assigned to each of the department's primary patrol shifts who are responsible for the general supervision and command of all department personnel assigned to their shift. Shift Commanders report to the Chief through the Patrol Coordinator, consulting with and informing the Coordinator of activities, problems or issues pertinent to their shift. Sergeants are assigned to each primary patrol shift as Patrol Supervisors. They are responsible for the general supervision and command of uniformed officers assigned to their respective shifts. They respond to incidents to supervise and guide the police officers under their command.

The responsibilities of the patrol division are allocated between two primary units. The Patrol Unit is comprised of uniformed police officers assigned to motor vehicle or foot patrol in designated areas (beats). The patrol unit is responsible for the bulk of police services rendered by the department.

The Motorcycle, "Segway" and Bicycle Units are comprised of specially trained police officers assigned to motorcycle, "Segway" Personal Transporter or bicycle patrol. Members of these units are highly visible, supplementing the functions of the Patrol Unit. Motorcycles, Personal Transporters and bicycles are especially advantageous in an urban environment because they provide greater versatility and mobility in general patrol and response to emergencies. The mission of these specialized units is to enhance the safety and security of the community by concentrating on areas of vulnerability and addressing "quality of life" issues.

Patrol officers conduct initial investigations, protect life, aid injured persons, secure and protect crime scenes. They identify suspects and make arrests, identify witnesses and document their observations, accurately complete and document all pertinent information regarding their investigations in a case incident report.

Certain patrol officers are trained as Crime Scene Technicians. These officers respond to crime scenes to develop, document and collect physical evidence. Evidence

processed by Crime Scene Technicians often leads to the successful identification and prosecution of suspects, particularly in cases of property crimes such as burglary and larceny.

The Communications Center, located at Police Headquarters 101 Ashmun St., shares the New Haven Police Department computer-aided dispatch system allowing constant contact and coordination of the activities of both agencies. The Communications Center also accesses state and federal information systems through the (COLLECT) Connecticut On Line Law Enforcement Telecommunications System.

The Communications Division is commanded by a Sergeant/Communications Coordinator who is responsible for general supervision and operation of all communication needs of the department.

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Training Division

Yale University Police Officers are selected and certified in accordance with the statutes of the State of Connecticut and the Standards enacted by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council. Each Yale Police Officer receives Basic Recruit Training in excess of 680 hours followed by ten weeks of supervised Field Training under the supervision of specially trained Field Training Officers. All Yale University Police Officers must maintain their certification throughout their careers and receive additional training through in-service training programs sponsored by the department or other Local, State or Federal agencies. The Yale University Police Department maintains a full time Training Unit.

The Investigative Services Unit is responsible for the investigation of serious crimes such as assault, sexual assault, robbery, substantial larcenies and burglaries. The unit is also responsible for administering the victim services, crime scene processing, evidence and threat assessment/management functions of the department.

The unit is commanded by a Lieutenant assigned as the Investigative Services Coordinator. The Lieutenant is responsible for overall supervision of the unit's activities. The Coordinator's duties include maintaining liaison with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and courts and social service agencies.

The Investigative Services Coordinator is assisted by a Sergeant assigned as the Assistant Coordinator. The Sergeant is responsible for supporting the coordinator in the efficient operation of the unit. The Assistant Coordinator is an investigator and is responsible for the supervision of subordinates and for conducting criminal and administrative investigations assigned by the Coordinator or the Chief. The Assistant Coordinator, who normally works the evening shift, is also responsible for the administration of the victim services program.

Four Detectives are assigned to the unit. They are responsible for conducting initial and follow-up criminal and administrative investigations as well as developing sources of intelligence and information.

Investigative Services personnel review and analyze previous reports, departmental records and the results of laboratory examinations; conduct follow-up interviews and interrogations; seek additional information from officers, witnesses, victims, complainants and other law enforcement agencies; plan, organize and conduct searches and collect physical evidence; identify and apprehend suspects; prepare, arrest and search and seizure warrants; prepare cases for court presentation in conjunction with the State's Attorney's Office and develop informant and intelligence information.

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ITS Unit

The computer is an intimate part of police work in the new millennium and that role will only increase as technologies advance. The goal of the Information Technology Services Unit is to provide and maintain state-of-the-art computer hardware and software resources to assist members of the Yale University Police Department in working efficiently, effectively, and most importantly, safely.

High-quality hardware and software along with powerful connectivity allow officers in the office and out in the field to access vital information resources. Mobile Data Computers (MDC) mounted in all patrol cruisers give officers immediate access to motor vehicle, driver's license and wanted person checks along with Police Dispatch information (CAD). Workstations and laptop computers are also utilized throughout the Yale University Police Department. They are used used to produce case incident reports, conduct statistical analysis, access organization databases, and manage the volumes of information a modern police department is faced with every day.

The ITS Unit is headed by a Sergeant/Director of ITS whose is assisted by a Computer Support Specialist. The Director of Information Technology Services is a Sergeant responsible for the maintenance of the department's computerized information systems and links to the entire law enforcement information network. He is additionally responsible for liaison with outside providers and vendors, as well as research and investigation into the design and implementation of hardware and software enhancements. He is assisted by Computer Support Specialist.

The ITS Unit's responsibilities include researching new technologies in search of tools that can benefit the officers and command staff in the performance of their duties. Responsibilities also include purchasing hardware and software, systems operation and maintenance, network design and maintenance, establishing security controls, providing technical support when needed and overseeing ITS projects.

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Administrative Services

The Administrative Services Unit provides support for the operational components of the department through such functions as personnel, recruitment, labor relations, strategic planning and analysis.

The unit is staffed by an Administrative Lieutenant, a Sergeant who is the Administrative Coordinator and a civilian Director of Strategic Planning .

The Administrative Lieutenant reports to the Chief of Police and shares responsibility with the Administrative Coordinator for activities such as planning and research, recruitment, hiring and promotion, liaison with outside law enforcement and non-law enforcement agencies and other duties as assigned by the Chief.

The Administrative Coordinator is a Sergeant who reports to the Chief of Police and shares responsibility with the Administrative Lieutenant for planning and research, recruitment, hiring and promotion. The Administrative Coordinator is also responsible for ongoing labor relations issues as well the department's statistical reporting requirements under state and federal law.

The Director of Strategic Analysis is a civilian who reports to the Chief of Police. The Director is responsible for crime analysis and the development of prevention strategies along with strategic planning and budgeting.

The Victim Services function of the Yale University Police Department is designed to offer help and support to victims of crime. It is staffed by the Victim Advocate, who is a detective within the department. The Victim Advocate acts as liaison with the State's Office of Victim Services, which administers the Victim Compensation Program. The Victim Advocate is also responsible for working with the courts on behalf of the victims, keeping the victim informed on any and all prosecutions, and counseling the victim on his or her rights.

For more information on the Yale University Police Department's Victim Services program, please contact Detective Susan Dercole at 203-432-4418 or via email at susan.dercole@yale.edu.

For more information on the State's Victim Compensation Fund, please contact the Office of Victim Services for the State of Connecticut at:

1-888-286-7347
860-747-4501 (outside Connecticut)
TDD 860-747-6597
or
www.jud.state.ct.us

Click here for Crisis Hotline numbers for your area.