Patrol

Direction

The Patrol Division, which is under the direction of a Captain, is best known for the uniformed officers in marked cars, which patrol the different zones throughout Victoria. The office for the Patrol Captain is located in the Police building at 306 S Bridge Street.

Purpose

The Victoria Police Department (VPD) operates on the concept of Community Oriented Policing, which involves a partnership between the officers and the citizens. Patrol Officers work in permanent zones and work 12 hour rotating shifts. This allows the officers and the citizens to work together to prevent and solve problems.

Duties

The primary responsibility of enforcement of traffic regulations of the State of Texas as well as the City of Victoria rests with the uniformed patrol officers as well as any officer who may be temporarily assigned to the Patrol Division.

Departments

The Patrol Division, having an authorized strength of over 80 personnel, is the largest division within the department consisting of four patrol platoons plus the Traffic Safety and K-9 Units. All VPD personnel serving in an officer position have served on patrol at one time.

Patrol Platoons

Four platoons consist of uniformed officers who answer calls for police service on a 24-hour a day basis. The city is divided into 5 zones, with officers being assigned to each zone. This allows officers to concentrate on smaller areas, learn more about those areas, and decrease officer response time. If you want to find out what zone you live in, see our Zone Maps.

Traffic Safety Unit 

Traffic Safety Unit assists the department and other agencies in all areas concerning traffic safety. This unit consists of Senior Police Officers who enforce traffic laws and investigate motor vehicle crashes including all traffic fatalities occurring in the City of Victoria. They also follow up on hit and run accidents and provide traffic safety education.

K-9 Unit 

The VPD K-9s and their handlers have a variety of duties such as searches of buildings, vehicles or open areas; as well as the detection of narcotics or evidence of a crime. The K-9 handlers also are available for community relations and policing demonstrations for the public.

Bicycle Patrol

VPD has patrol officers who are cross-trained as Bicycle Patrol Officers.