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Patrol Operations Division

The Patrol Operations Division is under the command of Lieutenant Robert Durkin. Lieutenant Durkin joined the Bethel Police Department in 1998 as a Patrol Officer. Since being hired, he has held many positions including Field Training Officer (FTO), Corporal, Detective, and he was a member of the Emergency Services Unit (ESU). In 2005, Lieutenant Durkin became our agency's third K-9 handler with K-9 Asco and served in that capacity for nine years. In 2008, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and remained in the Patrol Division as a Sergeant until being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2020. Lieutenant Durkin is also a POST certified instructor in Use of Force and Defensive Tactics.  As Patrol Operations Commander, Lieutenant Durkin is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of the Patrol Division encompassing all day to day police related services provided directly to the public.

The Patrol Division is the backbone of the Bethel Police Department, and as such, it is the largest division within the Department. Of the Department's authorized strength of 37 sworn officers, 23 uniformed police officers and six Sergeants are assigned to the Patrol Division. Officers and Supervisors staff this division 24 hours a day / 7 days a week and perform a wide range of functions including:

  • Responding to calls for service: criminal complaints, motor vehicle crashes, recovery of stolen property, public assistance calls, calls for medical assistance and other incidents requiring a police response.
  • Preventive patrol: preventing crimes and other incidents before they occur.
  • Apprehending criminals and wanted persons.
  •  Enforcement of motor vehicle laws.
  • Working alongside the public.
  • Prisoner control: The patrol division is responsible for direct monitoring of all prisoners being held by the department until they are turned over to court.

The Patrol Division utilizes various tactics and technologies to accomplish its mission. Patrol equipment includes:

  • Thirteen marked patrol vehicles are currently in use, and all are equipped with mobile data terminals which provide links to local, state, and national resources.
  • Radar and laser speed measurement devices are available for officers to use when conducting motor vehicle enforcement.
  • All primary patrol vehicles have Automated External Defibrillators (AED) and first responder basic life support (BLS) supplies to assist with medical emergencies. All of our Officers are trained Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs).