Divisions and Units

Command Team

The Command Team consists of a Chief of Police and three Lieutenants who oversee the Administrative Services, Criminal Investigations, Patrol, Crime Prevention, Integrated Outreach Services, Animal Services, and Records Divisions.

Chief of Police

General duties of the Police Chief include policy development, program planning, fiscal planning and management, and the administration of the Department as a whole.

Administrative Services

The Administrative Division conducts pre-employment background investigations, hires new personnel, conducts internal affairs investigations, negotiates collective bargaining agreements, and is responsible for the Department's facilities, workplace safety, accreditation and training. Many of these responsibilities are requirements of federal, state, and local laws that govern workplace conditions, safety, and practices.

Criminal Investigations

Our criminal investigators are primarily responsible for crimes against persons or other serious felony investigations . Investigators are cross-trained to respond and investigate all crimes reported, such as Burglary, Robbery, Larcenies, Assaults, Auto Theft, Fraud, Forgery, Sex Crimes, Child Abuse/Neglect, and Death Investigations. They also assist other divisions with case follow-ups when needed and deal with registered sex offender management, computer and technology crimes, pawn shop compliance, drugs, and vice.

Patrol Operations

Patrol Officers prevent and investigate crime, enforce laws, protect lives and property, apprehend criminals, preserve the peace, prevent and investigate accidents, expedite the flow of traffic and provide for the necessary called-for services throughout the city.

This division, in concert with the rest of the department, is expected to implement strategies that control crimes of vice, gang activity, and violations of dangerous drug laws through covert operations, on-view discovery, and investigation. They assist citizens in developing strategies and methods to reduce the probability of being victimized.

Crime Prevention

The Crime Prevention Unit is dedicated to reducing crime before it happens by working directly with residents, businesses, and community groups to educate and create neighborhood partnerships and initiatives. They act as a bridge between the police department and the community, empowering residents to play an active role in keeping their neighborhoods safe. For more detailed information please visit the Crime Prevention page.

Integrated Outreach Services (IOS)

The Integrated Outreach Services Team provides a compassionate, non-police response for people involved with the criminal justice system who are facing behavioral health challenges, substance use issues, or other personal obstacles. By meeting people where they are, IOS builds trusting relationships, connects individuals with needed services, and creates personalized plans that address root causes rather than symptoms. For more detailed information please visit the Integrated Outreach Services page.

Animal Services

The primary functions of Animal Services include, but are not limited to, protecting public safety by managing animals that pose a threat; ensuring animals within the city receive proper and humane care; reuniting lost or abandoned animals with their owners or placing them in adoptive homes; ensuring compliance with animal licensing requirements; enforcing the City’s Animal Ordinances; and educating the public on responsible animal care and control.

Records Department

The Records Division is responsible for the care and general management of all Department records, regardless of their physical location or format.  This Division is also responsible for the Department’s communications requirements; that is, telephone, teletype, paging, fax, and computer systems necessary to effectively carry out police services.  

Specialty Assignments

Neighborhood Resource Officers (NRO)

Neighborhood Resource Officers serve as a consistent, uniformed presence within designated neighborhoods to improve safety and overall quality of life. Guided by crime prevention principles, the NRO builds strong partnerships with community members to identify concerns, understand their root causes, and implement effective, long-term solutions. Through proactive engagement, collaborative problem-solving, and crime-resistance strategies, the NRO works to create safer, more empowered neighborhoods.

School Resource Officers (SRO)

School Resource Officers provide a uniformed police presence on and around our high school and middle school campuses to help ensure the safest possible environment for learning, personal growth, and positive community interaction. Guided by crime prevention principles, the SRO builds strong partnerships with students, school staff, and neighboring residents to identify concerns, understand their root causes, and implement effective, long-term solutions. Through proactive engagement, collaborative problem-solving and crime-resistance strategies, the SRO supports a safe, supportive, and collaborative school environment.

Priority Policing Team (PPT)

Officers assigned to the Priority Policing Team are primarily responsible for detecting and suppressing reoccurring criminal acts such as gang activity and car prowling, addressing street level drug activity in neighborhoods, develop arrest plans for high risk offenders and warrant services, and develop and implement neighborhood crime-resistance strategies..

The priority policing team offers gang education and awareness expertise to schools, community groups, and other law enforcement agencies. They investigate gang crimes and develops strategies to reduce gang encroachment in our community. And they provide expert court testimony regarding gang activity in Mount Vernon.

The primary objective of the Crisis Negotiation Team is to seek a voluntary surrender of those individuals considered high risk to themselves or others.

Tactical Operations Team (PTO)

The Police Tactical Operations Team locates and apprehends criminal suspects or other individuals considered to be of high risk to themselves, the public or responding officers. High-risk individuals include barricaded felons, hostage takers, wanted criminals suspected of being armed or dangerous, or any other person considered to be an extraordinary risk to responding officers.

Traffic Enforcement & Education

Traffic officers provide traffic safety education, enforce traffic laws, and investigate motor vehicle accidents. They also calculate and report on accident trends. Officers assigned to this function are expected to discover, arrest, and assist in the prosecution of vehicle operators under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

K9 Handler

The Police K-9 Handler is responsible for caring for and working with a police dog during official duties. This position supports the Patrol Division by using the dog’s tracking and searching abilities to locate suspects and assist in investigations. The handler responds to a variety of incidents where a police dog may be needed, such as silent or audible alarms, reports of suspects on the premises, and situations involving prowlers or individuals hiding in secured areas. The role also includes assisting other law enforcement agencies upon request, providing public demonstrations of K-9 capabilities, and conducting educational seminars when assigned. In addition, the handler responds to any call for service as dispatched, even when the use of a police dog is not required.

Park Ranger

Our Park Ranger plays a key role in maintaining the safety and quality of Mount Vernon's parks and trails. The Park Ranger patrols outdoor spaces, enforces park rules, responds to concerns, and helps prevent issues before they impact visitors. By working closely with police and parks staff, our Park Ranger helps ensure our outdoor spaces remain vibrant places where residents can relax, explore, and connect with nature.