The City of Tallahassee

TPD | Operations Bureau

The Tallahassee Police Department has jurisdiction over a community of 103.6 square miles (268.3 square km). To provide for the implementation of crime prevention and enforcement strategies unique to specific neighborhoods, the total area is first divided in to two major sectors. Those sectors are further distinguished into Districts, and those Districts into smaller sections referred to as "Beats." Citizen and business interactions are a key component of the Beat system, and regular meetings are held inside these areas to form partnerships that assist in preventing and solving crimes.

Community Relations Unit

Promoting crime prevention and community policing are the primary goals of the group of certified Crime Prevention Practitioners that make up TPD's Community Relations Unit. Officers establish partnerships with neighborhood associations and crime watch groups throughout the city and coordinate specialized programs as Crime Stoppers, the RAD and RadKIDS Self-Empowerment Safety programs.

For more information about the Community Resource Unit and for more information about crime prevention, visit their page.

K-9 Unit

The Tallahassee Police Department currently have seven dog teams, comprised of a Sergeant and six handlers. Patrol work consists of tracking, evidence searches, area searches, building searches, and criminal apprehension. These are the most utilized areas that the teams are used for in patrol work. The teams are also used for illicit drug detection.

For information about the K-9 unit, visit their page.

Community Oriented Policing & Problem Solving (COPPS)

Community Oriented Policing & Problem Solving

COPPS represents the core philosophy of the police response to problems within neighborhoods. It has, and continues to, increase the working partnership with citizens, businesses and civic groups to help solve problems that affect our quality of life in Tallahassee.

While the COPPS philosophy is used by all TPD officers, calls for service sometimes limit their ability to stay with an issue until resolution. That is why there are squads designated for this mission full time. These squads help other officers with long-term follow-up and can assist with increased enforcement, as well as other aspects of problem solving.

COPPS Officers accept a flexible schedule to be able to rapidly respond to unique neighborhood issues throughout the City. They are most frequently recognized by their specially outfitted police mountain bikes and unique police uniforms. Working closely in the community, away from their cars, they can build stronger bonds with the citizens and increase their effectiveness and cooperation.