Patrol

The Salem Police Patrol division is currently made up of 27 patrol officers, 8 civilian dispatchers, 6 sergeants, and 3 lieutenants. The patrol officers are the backbone of any police agency.

Responsibilities

Staff respond to and handle all types of calls for service from the quality-of-life type nuisance complaints to serious assaults and motor vehicle collisions. Salem Police officers receive 14 weeks of intensive instruction at the New Hampshire Police Academy. They then undergo a 12-week field training assignment with a certified Field Training Officer. They will undergo in-service training for the duration of their careers.

Each individual patrol officer is encouraged to investigate and follow up on their cases. If a case requires a more detailed investigation, the cases are forwarded to the Investigations Unit. The various specialized units in the department are comprised mainly of patrol officers including Field Training Officer (FTO), the Technical Accident Reconstruction (TAR) team, the K-9 Unit, and The Southern New Hampshire Special Operations Unit. Many of the tips and cooperating individuals in narcotics cases are developed by the patrol officers. They work closely with detectives in assisting with identifying and apprehending suspects. The patrol officers also conduct motor vehicle enforcement activities on a daily basis in an effort to keep our residents and visitors safe.