Captain Townsend, Division Commander
Part of the Special Operations Division includes METRO / SWAT, Air Support Unit, Snipers, and the Post-Release Accountability and Compliance Team. Together these units serve as supplemental emergency responders to handle a myriad of situations where specially trained individuals are needed to deal with critical incidents, violent offenders, hostage and barricade situations and many others. From the sky, the Air Support unit continually supports all ground efforts and provides officers with critical information to safely respond to critical events and pursuits of suspects and vehicles. These services are non-stop, and the specialized units are ever at the ready 365 days a year to provide for a safer city.
The Traffic Unit is within the Special Operations Division as well. Comprised of professional, non-sworn accident investigators, sworn accident investigators, and motor officers, the Traffic Unit investigates traffic collisions, responds to complaints, and uses data-driven information to proactively reduce traffic collisions. The unit does directed enforcement to address issues such as driving under the influence (DUI), distracted driving, speeding, and seat belt enforcement, and regularly creates traffic safety checkpoints, all of which are supported by grant funds. The unit helps to provide traffic control at special events and has a variety of community education programs to promote traffic safety. Detectives in the Traffic Unit conduct investigations on hit and run accidents and all traffic related deaths. Our officers undergo specialized, professional training in traffic issues and by combining enforcement with education, aim to enhance roadway safety.
The department also has a Technical Services Unit (TSU), which works closely with the fire department and state and local agencies to collaboratively respond to and mitigate threats involving hazardous devices or other special circumstances. They utilize specialized equipment and complete rigorous training to maintain their proficiency.
The Special Operations Division also manages the department’s canine (K-9) unit. It is an essential part of the department’s public safety mission through detecting illegal substances, firearms, and explosives, finding missing persons, and apprehending suspects. Each canine and handler undergo rigorous, ongoing training to provide valuable professional assistance to law enforcement operations.