Laurel Police Department (Maryland)

Organization

• Patrol is the largest and most visible component of the Laurel Police. The Patrol Division is made up of five patrol squads, each of which is overseen by a Sergeant with assistance from Corporals. Officers respond for all calls for service within the city as well as conduct area checks, investigate any suspicious activities, and enforce motor vehicle laws.
• K9 units are assigned to patrol squads to assist with a variety of situations to include narcotics detection and assistance in apprehending fleeing suspects.
• Criminal Investigations Division is composed of detectives who investigate major crimes within the city that require further time and investigation beyond a normal patrol response.
• Traffic/Community Policing Unit is composed of two different components. Traffic officers are primarily designated to enforce motor vehicle law within the city as well as assist with traffic-related details such as funeral escorts and parades. Community Policing officers attend homeowner meetings, oversee DARE, and address many other community concerns as well as monitor speed enforcement cameras.
• Emergency Response Team is the department's SWAT team. The team is decentralized, meaning team members work a normal post such as patrol or CID and assume ERT duties when the team is called to action.
• The Special Enforcement Unit investigates narcotics and vice crimes.

  Equipment