Uniform Patrol Division
The Uniform Patrol Division comprises
approximately two thirds of all Departmental personnel and handles
a wide variety of uniform services in addition to basic Patrol
Operations. As with most progressive law enforcement agencies,
the Department embraces the “Community Oriented Policing”
philosophy. This allows the UPD to garner support from the
citizenry directly and in a timely manner, thus creating a
pro-active rather than re-active response to crime and emergencies.
This facilitates the highest quality of leadership and experience
for such a large command.
The UPD also contains several smaller units of a specialized
nature. This is necessary because some law enforcement tasks
require specialized training, experience, and equipment. Officers
assigned to these units meet rigorous standards and commit
to reside in the units for minimum specified periods of time.
Geographically, the UPD patrols an area comprised of 324
square miles, as Henry County is one of the larger counties
in Georgia. Interstate 75 and Interstate 675 intersect the
jurisdiction thus creating the need for decentralization of
UPD personnel. Therefore, the jurisdiction, is divided into
two main precincts, North and Central.
The North Precinct is geographically located in the City
of Stockbridge while the Central Precinct is co-located at
Department Headquarters in McDonough, plus one mini-precinct
located in Tanger Mall in Locust Grove.
A senior manager holding the rank of Captain commands the
North Precinct. In addition, a Watch Commander holding the
rank of Lieutenant commands each watch or shift. The Watch
Commander will control patrol operations within the designated
precinct area and direct the Shift Sergeants, who oversee the
actual patrol operations.
The precinct areas are subdivided into patrol zones to facilitate
the quickest response times. Since the Department’s
inception, the call for service volume has increased dramatically.
Concurrently, Henry County has become one of the fastest growing
communities in the United States. This has created the need
for flexibility and creativity in patrol operations. Officers
assigned to the UPD enjoy many benefits not seen in less progressive
agencies such as a four-day work week and a take home car
program for resident officers. These benefits enhance the
public image while projecting visibility throughout the community
and represent the progressive nature of the UPD.
The Uniform Patrol Division provides a wide range of services
to the County and is broken down into nine units:
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