Operations Division
The Operation Division by virtue of its size and scope is the frontline in protecting the lives and property of Watsonville's residents and handles over 69,000 police related activities a year. The men and women in this division are responsible for implementing the bulk of our community policing strategy.
The division maintains a staff of 55 sworn and non sworn employees. Patrol Officers work around-the-clock, 365 days a year, to provide a quality of life whereby all residents and visitors have a sense of security and protection. Our average response time to emergencies is 2 minutes 3 seconds. We strive to have at least two bilingual officers on every shift.
Patrol Officers utilize two satellite stations, one at the Freedom Library and the other at the East Lake Village Shopping Center implementing the most innovative concept of Community Policing in the County.
The Operations Division strives to keep places frequented by our youth as safe as possible. Foot patrols of Downtown, City parks; the Plaza, Youth Center, PAL Center, Ramsay Park Center and Library are aimed at creating a safe environment.
The Division picks up truant students and brings them to a designated location in the school district. The program known as TACS (Truancy Abatement Crime Suppression) is a means by which the school and the parents are alerted to a child out on the street instead of in school.
The operations division relies heavily on the services of civilian personnel in the form of Police Service Specialists (civilian report takers). Use of civilian officers has freed up additional time for our police officers to be more visible in the community.
Operations Division is the backbone of the Department's response to disasters. We have gained much experience in the management of local emergencies and disasters over the last twenty-five years. Floods in 1981 and 1982, an 18-month labor strike in 1985/86, the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, the Pajaro Flood of 1995 and the county -wide wild fires of 2008 are just some of the major incidents we have experienced.
Partnership 
