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Specialized Programs
Special programs within the Whitewater Police Department present a unique opportunity for department personnel to utilize and enhance the qualities, skill sets and characteristics they possess as individuals. In many police departments the opportunity for growth and development are available only through promotion or to long-standing senior personnel.
The Whitewater Police Department believes that individual personal strengths, intrinsic skill sets and committed dedication define the necessary traits that make up a highly dedicated and motivated team, therefore, we make special programs available to all interested personnel.
- Accreditation
- Bicycle Patrol
- Citizen Academy
- Communications Training Officers
- Crime Prevention
- Department Newsletter
- Field Training Officers Program
- Honor Guard
- ID / Evidence Technicians
- McGruff Program
- Sensitive Crimes Investigative Team
- Unified Tactics Instructors
The purpose of an accredited police department is to improve the delivery of public safety services, primarily by:
- Covering a wide range of up-to-date public safety initiatives
- Developed by public safety practitioners
- Establishing and administering an accreditation process
- Maintaining a body of standards
- Recognizing professional excellence
The bicycle patrol unit provides an alternate and highly visible means of policing special events and areas of the City, which are inaccessible by motor vehicle, and promotes greater interaction with citizens of the community. Specially trained officers on all-terrain bikes are involved in:
- Bike safety
- Crime prevention
- Public relations
- Special operations
- Targeted patrol
In an effort to enhance our community policing effort, the Whitewater Police Department has developed a citizen police academy. The academy is designed to provide selected members of the community with a hands-on look at the important job of law enforcement. The eight-week curriculum covers such topics as:
- Court procedures
- Crime prevention
- Criminal investigation
- Firearms training
- First aid
- Officer survival techniques
- Police administration
- Police ethics
- Tactical operations
Various members of the department act as instructors for the course.
Communications Training Officers (CTO) use their knowledge, skills and abilities to train and evaluate new telecommunicators utilizing a structured CTO program. The one-on-one instruction introduces the basic theories, practices and guidelines for daily application in the dispatch communications environment.
The mission of the Whitewater Police Department includes crime prevention among its areas of greatest concern. The department is committed to the development and fostering of community based crime prevention efforts. We have a crime prevention team which consists of officers from each shift.
In 1995, the Whitewater Police Department introduced a highly successful newsletter. The quarterly publication promotes a feeling of belonging, teamwork, and community policing among our employees.
Although the newsletter is directed at our own members, it is made available to interested city officials, citizens, and members of the local law enforcement community. The newsletter is aimed at making a positive statement about our people and our organization.
Field Training Officers are responsible for training and educating new officers through a very comprehensive and structured program. The intense training prepares recruit officers to face and correctly respond to a wide range of physically and mentally challenging situations.
The main purpose of the Honor Guard is to honor and stand watch over law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The Honor Guard also represents the Whitewater Police Department in formal ceremonies such as color guard, flag ceremonies, funeral honors, and public civic events. The Honor Guard is a voluntary unit comprised of uniformed officers of the Whitewater Police Department.
Evidence Technicians are specially trained and equipped to collect, process, and preserve evidence at a crime scene.
The McGruff the "Crime Dog" safety project started in December of 1992. Using the universally recognized McGruff Dog, children are taught to say no to the following:
- Abuse
- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Gangs
- Molestation
- Vandalism
McGruff's primary function is to bring his message to the elementary school children in the Whitewater area. McGruff has also made many public appearances. McGruff is always accompanied by a uniformed officer.
Recognizing the intense and painful psychological and social pressures placed on the victims of sensitive crimes, the Whitewater Police Department approaches the investigation of such offenses with great sensitivity for the victim and with the unique skill afforded by a specialized Sensitive Crimes Investigative Team. The team is comprised of officers who are responsible for the investigation of complaints related to sexual assault and child abuse/neglect that require specialized training and intervention.
These officers are responsible for the development and presentation of various tactical skills and techniques to other Department personnel. These instructors are specifically responsible for training and educating officers in defense and arrest tactics, emergency vehicle operation and vehicle contacts, TASER operation and in firearms qualification and proficiency.