Patrol

Operations of the Patrol Division

The Patrol Division is the backbone of the Farmington Police Department and the primary face of our agency. As the city’s frontline problem solvers, our patrol officers are the first to respond to those in need, handling approximately 80,000 incidents per year. Operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the division is staffed across three shifts—Days, Swings, and Graves—utilizing a squad system that ensures a consistent and vigilant presence throughout the week.


Strategic City Coverage

To ensure rapid response times and effective resource management, the city is divided into four geographic districts. This district model allows the department to maintain strategic coverage across Farmington, ensuring that officers are positioned to respond to emergencies and proactively address crime. Through their daily interactions on calls for service, patrol officers work toward a singular goal: the reduction of crime and the enhancement of public safety for every resident.


High-Tech Capabilities

In keeping with our commitment to a modern, professional force, our patrol officers are equipped with the latest technology to document their work and protect the community. Every patrol vehicle serves as a mobile office, outfitted with Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) and in-car camera systems. These tools, combined with body-worn cameras, ensure transparency, accountability, and the accurate collection of digital evidence. This technology allows our officers to stay in the field longer, remaining available to the citizens who need them most.


Support and Career Development: Community Service Officers

The efficiency of our Patrol Division is greatly enhanced by our Community Service Officers (CSOs). These non-sworn professionals provide vital support by handling calls for service that are not in-progress, such as taking reports and processing crime scenes for evidence. The CSO program serves as a premier transition position for individuals aspiring to become sworn police officers within our agency. By managing essential administrative and technical functions, CSOs gain invaluable experience while allowing sworn officers to remain focused on proactive patrols and emergency response.


The following specialty units are included under the Patrol Division.

K - 9 Unit

The K-9 Unit of the Farmington Police Department is comprised of three dog-handler teams. These teams significantly enhance operational efficiency, reducing the amount of manpower required on calls for service by an estimated 800 to 1,000 hours per team annually. The primary mission of the K-9 Unit is to increase the safety of officers, citizens, and suspects during law enforcement operations.


The K-9 Unit serves as a force multiplier for the Patrol Division and is capable of responding to any call for service. K-9 teams are most commonly deployed on high-risk incidents, including violent crimes, calls involving weapons, building searches related to alarms or forced entry, fleeing or hiding suspects, and searches for lost, missing, or endangered persons. In addition, K-9 teams are trained in narcotics detection and regularly assist with narcotics-related investigations.


K-9 handlers and their assigned dogs are integrated into specialized enforcement efforts within the department. The unit is an active component of the SWAT team and provides operational support to the Region II Narcotics Task Force. Their versatility and specialized training make the K-9 Unit a critical asset in complex and high-risk operations.


K-9 teams primarily work nighttime hours; however, one K-9 team is on-call at all times to ensure immediate response when needed. The unit maintains strong working relationships with surrounding law enforcement agencies and routinely assists with calls throughout San Juan County, Southwest Colorado, and the Navajo Nation.


Due to the specialized nature of K-9 operations, the unit maintains rigorous training standards. K-9 teams train together as a unit for a minimum of four hours each week, in addition to daily training conducted by each individual handler. This ongoing training ensures operational readiness, safety, and the highest level of performance in the field.

Community Resource & Mental Health Units

The Farmington Police Community Resource Unit (CRU) and Mental Health Unit (MHU) have clearly defined responsibilities that are crucial for community policing and mental health support. The team composition, consisting of a Sergeant and five officers, suggests a structured approach to handling these sensitive situations, ensuring there's adequate leadership and manpower to respond effectively. 



The Mental Health Unit's Responsibilities Focus On:

  1. Bridging the Gap: Serving as a link between law enforcement and mental health services, ensuring that individuals in crisis receive appropriate care.
  2. Promoting Mental Well Being: Initiating programs and activities that support mental health and wellness within the community. Additionally being a resource for assistance.
  3. Preventing Crisis: Implementing proactive measures to reduce the likelihood of mental health crisis and emergencies.
  4. Expert Guidance: Providing specialized knowledge and advice to law enforcement offers on handling mental health-related incidents with sensitivity and effectiveness.
  5. Ensuring Safety and Dignity: Ensuring that all interactions with individuals experiencing mental health challenges prioritize safety, respect, and dignity.


Traffic Unit

The Farmington Police Department Traffic Unit is dedicated to improving roadway safety through proactive enforcement, education, and collision investigation. By focusing on high-risk driving behaviors and problem areas, the Traffic Unit works to reduce crashes and keep our community moving safely.


Proactive Enforcement & Visibility

The Traffic Unit plays a key role in addressing dangerous driving behaviors throughout the city. Officers focus on areas and times where violations and crashes are most likely to occur, helping prevent incidents before they happen.


This includes:

  • Speed enforcement in high-risk areas
  • DUI enforcement and impaired driving prevention
  • School zone and pedestrian safety enforcement
  • Targeted patrols based on crash data and community concerns

Through high-visibility enforcement, the Traffic Unit helps deter unsafe driving and encourages compliance with traffic laws.


Commitment to Safer Roads

The Traffic Unit’s mission is simple: reduce crashes, prevent injuries, and save lives. Through enforcement, investigation, and community engagement, the unit works every day to make Farmington’s roadways safer for everyone.

Together, these units contribute to a comprehensive approach to policing that not only addresses immediate law enforcement needs but also proactively supports community well-being and mental health. This approach can lead to more effective crime prevention, enhanced community trust, and improved outcomes for individuals in need of mental health support.