New Port Richey Police Department: Operations Division

Operations Division

The Patrol Bureau is the heart of the Police Department, with all other bureaus providing support to it. The Patrol Bureau is on 24-hour duty, 7 days a week. With around the clock coverage, the majority of the twenty Officers assigned to the Patrol Bureau work on one of three (3), eight (8) hour shifts, with other Officers working overlapping shifts, to provide service to citizens when calls for service are greater. In 2009, the Patrol Bureau responded to approximately 28,772 calls for service, or approximately 2,397 calls for service per month.

In 2009 the department as a whole made 1154 arrests. The vast majority of those were made by Patrol.

Each shift is commanded by a shift Sergeant, and in his absence the shift Corporal is in charge. For questions, extra patrol requests, or other items of importance occurring on one of the three shifts, the corresponding Sergeant can be reached at the numbers to the right.

Auxiliary / Reserve Officers

The Department is currently accepting applications for auxiliary and reserve officers. Anyone with Florida Law Enforcement Certification is encouraged to apply at the Police Department. Corporal Derrick Thivener coordinates the Auxiliary program.

Off-Duty Officer Requests

Requests to provide security through Off-Duty Officer assignment should be directed to Officer Jeffery Rossbach at rossbachj@cityofnewportrichey.org or (727) 841-4553.

Shift Supervisor Assignments / Contact Information

7am-3pm
Sergeant William Barrus
barrusw@cityofnewportrichey.org
(727) 841-4550

3pm-11pm
Sergeant Robert Close
closer@cityofnewportrichey.org
(727) 841-4550 x307

11pm-7am
Sergeant Erik Jay
jaye@cityofnewportrichey.org
(727) 841-4550

SWAT

The SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) Team is also a functional part of the Patrol Bureau. Led by Lieutenant Steve Kostas , the team performs hostage rescues and responds to special weapons & tactics emergencies.

It also serves high-risk search warrants, removes barricaded suspects, provides counter sniper capability, and provides chemical agent support and special event protection. SWAT also includes a three officer Hostage Negotiation Team. Sergeant Robert Close is the Team Leader, and Corporal Arthur Madden is the Assistant Team Leader.

Traffic/DUI Enforcement Unit & FDOT Grants
Supervisor: Sergeant Erik Jay

DUI Enforcement

Officers Currently Assigned:
Officer C. Denton

In 2005, The New Port Richey Police Department applied for and received a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to fund two (2) full time police officer positions. The purpose of the grant is to reduce Driving Under the Influence (DUI) crashes in the City of New Port Richey through enforcement. The grant has funded the purchase of two (2) fully loaded unconventional Dodge Charger traffic cars for the purpose of DUI enforcement. FDOT will fund the positions at a rate of 100% the first year, 75% the second, and 50% the third. Thereafter, the City will be responsible to fund the positions.

The DUI Unit has certain goals that were established from the grant. The DUI Unit will be participating in DUI Checkpoints, Saturation Patrols, and Heightened Patrols as part of the "Over The Limit, Under Arrest" statewide sustained enforcement.

Aggressive Driving Enforcement

Officers Currently Assigned:
Officer J. Pascalli

In 2007, the New Port Richey Police Department applied for and received a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to fund and one full time police officer position. The purpose of the grant is to reduce speed related and aggressive driving related crashes in the City of New Port Richey through aggressive enforcement. The grant also funded the purchase of one fully loaded unconventional Dodge Charger traffic car for the purpose of blending in with daytime traffic and enforcing traffic laws. FDOT will fund the positions at a rate of 100% the first year, 75% the second, and 50% the third. Thereafter, the City will be responsible to fund the positions.

Background
The City of New Port Richey is located in the metropolitan Tampa Bay area. As such, we have some significant traffic problems that we must address. From an enforcement standpoint, Patrol Officers and Community Police Officers endeavor to vigorously enforce violations of state statute. Our department and the A.A.R.P. have partnered to create educational opportunities for mature drivers at the New Port Richey Police Department. The classes are open to the public and they may enroll by contacting the A.A.R.P. for further information.

Radar Speed Trailers

The Police Department has RADAR Speed Trailers that display vehicle speed. Data can be collected from the unit in order to determine whether there is a speeding problem on a particular street. The trailers can be placed on any street and can be requested by any city resident by contacting Sergeant Erik Jay.

Traffic Accident Statistics / Investigation

The New Port Richey Police investigated 818 traffic crashes in 2003 and 719 in 2004, a reduction of 14%. The number of alcohol-related crashes decreased approximately 5% from 2003 to 2004. 14.77% of all crashes in 2003 were alcohol-related compared to 10.09% of the crashes in 2004. The department has five (5) T.H.I.�s (Traffic Homicide Investigators) to investigate serious injury and fatal traffic crashes.

Officers promote the "You Drink, You Drive, You Lose" campaign.

Corporal Erik Jay issues a citation to a motorist for
failure to stop at a stop sign.

K-9 Unit

In 2005, the New Port Richey Police Department received a donation from a local business (Dobies Funeral Home) to purchase its first canine for patrol purposes. K-9 Dobie and Handler Officer J. Case have conducted several tracks and assisted in making several arrests since acquiring him. K-9 Dobie and Officer Case recently graduated from a narcotics detection school, making K-9 Dobie a dual-ceritified canine. The canine unit has also conducted several public demonstrations. Requests for demonstrations can be made through Lieutenant Kostas.

Master Patrol Officer J. Case and K-9 Dobie

Marine Unit

The Marine Unit is a component of the Patrol Bureau. Six certified Marine Officers, who are assigned to different divisions within the Police Department, are assigned to police the Pithlachascotee River during weekends, designated problem times, and special events.

The Marine Unit currently utilizes one police boat, and recently acquired a waverunner for police use. The department also has several officers who are certified divers, trained in search and rescue that comprise the department�s Dive Team.

Marine Unit
Corporal D. Thivener manuevering our waverunner and
Master Patrol Officer K. Campbell manning our boat.

COMMUNITY SERVICE BUREAU

MAJOR CRIMES / PROPERTY CRIMES

Detective Sergeant Randy Murphy
(727) 816-1130 x131 murphyr@cityofnewportrichey.org

Detective Christopher Trapnell
(727) 816-1130 x134 trapnellc@cityofnewportrichey.org

Detective Jason Engel
(727) 816-1130 engelj@cityofnewportrichey.org

Officer Chris Mellecker
(727) 816-1130 melleckerc@cityofnewportrichey.org

Officer Greg Williams
(727) 816-1130 williamsg@cityofnewportrichey.org

This unit is repsonsible for the investigation of all crimes against property and persons that are not cleared by patrol. . The incidents this unit investigates include, but are not limited to: burglary, theft, auto theft, forgeries, frauds, homicides, stabbings, shootings, suspicious deaths and sexual batteries.

In addition, this unit coordinates department wide Community Oriented Policing efforts. This program combines law enforcement with community partnerships to increase the quality of life for our community.

NARCOTICS UNIT

The New Port Richey Police Department has one detective that is assigned to a narcotics task force led by the Pasco Sheriff's Office.

If you have any information about narcotics sales in your area or neighborhood that you would like to pass on to our detective, please send e-mail to Sergeant Randy Murphy.

STATE TASK FORCES
The New Port Richey Police Department works closely with county, state, and federal agencies to complete investigations, solve crimes, and bring offenders to justice.

Detective Jason Engel is assigned to the US Attorney General's Office Cyber Crime Task Force, and works to arrest online predators preying on our community's children. Detectives are also assigned to various state and federal task forces that deal with gangs.

Never Forgotten

September 2010

Nixle

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