Chief Robert M. St. Pierre   Police Headquarters

"In Service to the Community"

Patrol Division

Captain Brian J. Gilligan

bgilligan@salempd.net

Commanding Officer

978-744-0171 ext. 137

 

The Patrol Division is the largest division within the Police Department. Its primary responsibility is to provide uniformed law enforcement service to the community.

Uniformed police officers are generally the first contact a citizen has with a law enforcement agency. These initial contacts will frequently leave the citizen with a lasting impression of the department and it is the Salem Police Department’s intention to make that impression a positive one. Our mission is to provide the highest quality law enforcement service in the most effective and efficient manner possible.

In addition to crime prevention, Patrol Officers engage in Community Policing, accident investigations, traffic enforcement, medical assists, criminal investigations and other calls for service.

Patrol Structure

 

The Patrol Division is commanded by Captain Brian Gilligan, staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  The Patrol Division is divided into several teams of officers called Platoons, who work a specific duty schedule in specific beats.  Captain Gilligan also oversees the Department's Internal Affairs Division, Evidence, Details, the City's Emergency Medical Services and Special Events.

Each Platoon is commanded by a Police Lieutenant and each is supervised by two Sergeants. 

Each Platoon also has a Field Training Officer (FTO), who is charged with the responsibility of training new officers who graduate from the Police Academy. 

The City is divided into 7 Beats.  Patrol Officers are assigned a specific Beat during a 1 year assignment. 

The Patrol Sergeants are responsible for direct field supervision of the officers. In the absence of a Lieutenant, a Sergeant will assume the title of Watch Commander or Shift O.I.C. (Officer-in-Charge.  The Sergeant's primary mission is to oversee the daily activities of the officers under their direction and to be a resource for training and coordinator of field activities.