The Patrol Division is the "heartbeat" of the Beaumont Police Department. It is
comprised of several units, including Communications, Traffic Unit, Special Weapons and Tactical Team (SWAT),Aviation Unit,Housing Unit,,
Resource Officer and Records Management. The City of Beaumont is divided into three geographical area or zones. There is
one lieutenant and one sergeant assigned for problem solving purposes. These
two officers work primarily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Each of the major watches -- First (11 p.m.-7:30 a.m.), Second (7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) and Third (3 p.m.-11:30 p.m.) -- is overseen by a watch captain and a watch lieutenant. There is an overlap watch that reports to duty at 6 p.m. and falls under the responsibility of the Third Watch commanders.
The Beaumont Police Department's communication unit is manned with civilians. The dispatching is done with computer consoles and each dispatcher must be proficient in the use of this computer-aided dispatch system.
CONTACT: LT. DAVE SAMPLE -- 409-880-3845 OR SGT. MIKE EARNEY -- 833-3271
This unit investigates traffic accidents, hit and run accidents, all traffic-related fatalities, as well as enforce traffic laws, process DWI and other traffic-related cases with the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office. The Traffic Unit has
three officers DOT certified to inspect commercial motor vehicles and enforce the federal motor vehicle laws and state DOT laws.
Ten officers in the Traffic Unit are D.O.T. certified for license and weight
inspections under the Federal Program. These officers have "C.V.S.A.
Certified" on their vehicles and uniforms. There are three motorcycle officers in the unit.
The unit is responsible for processing all parade, block party and street closure permits as well as wrecker and taxi cab permits. Officers frequently provide escorts for parades and military convoys heading for the Port of Beaumont. An officer assigned bailiff duty with the Beaumont Municipal Court also works out of this office.
The SWAT team is made up of officers who work primary jobs throughout all three divisions within the department. This unit, which is highly trained and extremely skilled, has the primary job of responding to those stand-off situations like barricaded subjects, hostage situations and attempted suicides. When called to these situations, they take complete command.
The Beaumont Police Department has operated its part-time Aviation Unit with a Cessna T-210 since 1987. The Cessna was acquired through a drug seizure. In 1995 the Beaumont Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department put into service two OH-58C Bell Helicopters received from the military. These aircraft are operated and maintained according to the Federal Aviation Regulations. The Cessna has been used for surveillance, interdiction and transportation. The helicopter is used for such activities as surveillance, interdiction, SWAT operations, missing person searches, escaped prisoner searches, patrol and public relations support.
CONTACT: LT.
RAY BECK/SGT. MIKE LANE -- 409-880-3845
There are eight Beaumont police officers currently assigned as housing officers under a grant received by the department. The officers work closely with the management and residents of the various housing complexes in Beaumont. The officers assist the managers in identifying problems in the complexes and work on solutions to make the complexes safer for all those that live there. The officers conduct proactive police activities such as knock-n-talks, complex sweeps and identification programs to help rid the area of trespassers. The officers also are involved in many programs with the residents such as residents' associations, parenting classes, programs for senior citizens, a truancy program to help keep kids in school, ticket/warrant work program, "Time for Crime" where at risk youth are taken on a tour of the area prisons, and many other programs. The officers also sponsor movie days for the youth where they can gather in a safe environment and have a good time.
In October 1995, the Beaumont Police Department instituted a Resource Officer position. This officer is responsible for working with the local state prison in using prison labor to demolish condemned buildings throughout the city. These buildings, which are often crack houses, would otherwise not be torn down due to city budget constraints. These prisoners also are being used to clean up city parks and conduct litter clean-ups. Several condemned buildings have already been torn down and there is no shortage of assignments. The department has patterned its program after one instituted by the Pt. Arthur Police Department.
The Records Management Unit is responsible for keeping the department's records and conducting quality control on offense reports generated by officers on the laptop reporting system. Teleserve personnel also fall under the jurisdiction of this unit. Teleserve personnel take basic offense reports in the police lobby and over the phone.
You may file a Teleserve report by calling 409-880-3862. By taking these non-serious reports, officers have been freed up to respond quicker to priority calls.
