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FIELD OPERATIONS BUREAU
The Operations Bureau is directed by Assistant Chief Roger Fields. The bureau supervises the Patrol Division, Detective Division and Special Operations Division.
Patrol Division
The Patrol Division includes four platoons, working twelve-hour shifts to provide services to the community. Each platoon consists of one Sergeant, one Corporal, and eight Patrolmen. Two officers from each platoon are assigned as Evidence Technicians. The officers rotate their working hours and days off.
The Cape Girardeau Police Department Patrol Division has continued to increase their activities. In 2009, officers responded to 48,306 calls for service and documented 10,969 written reports. There were 3,311 arrests, 423 juveniles cited, and 6,777 traffic citations issued.
Click here for photos of our patrol vehicles.
The Cape Girardeau Police Department’s K-9 program was started in October of 1991. Officer Dennis Horn served as the department’s first K-9 handler and was instrumental in starting the program. Officer Horn, along with K-9 trainer Mike Ervin found a dog, which was purchased through a school grant program, and trained him for police work. Greif was a German Shepherd imported from Germany and served as a dual-purpose dog, being trained in narcotics detection, tracking, building searchs and protection. Greif was the only police dog in the area at that time and was instrumental in assisting other law enforcement agencies including the DEA, Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force and many other local police agencies.
In September of 1993, Greif was injured while chasing a drug dealer. Due to his injuries, he was retired from the department. He spent his last years as a pet for Officer Horn, enjoying retirement, as all officers should.
In June of 1994, a replacement dog was purchased to replace Greif. Jupp was a German Shepherd import from the Republic of Czech. Jupp also served the department as a dual-purpose dog and was placed on the department’s roster in November of 1994. Jupp served the Cape Girardeau Police Department for 7 years and was very instrumental in fighting the "drug war" in Cape Girardeau.
In March of 2002, Jupp began to develop hip problems which ultimately forced him into retirement. He spent his last years living with his handler (Officer Dennis Horn).
Due to Officer Horn’s promotion, Corporal Horn has left the K-9 program as a handler after serving almost 11 years in that position. He currently serves as an assistant platoon leader in the Patrol Division and supervises the current K-9 officers.
Due to the unexpected retirement of Jupp, the Cape Girardeau Police Department was faced with finding funds and resources to purchase a new dog. With the help of Cheryl Ellis, Editor of the Southeast Missourian Junior, a fund drive was started help raise funds to purchase a new dog. Several of the local grade schools came up with different projects on their own to raise money. Several businesses also donated money and through a strong community effort, enough money was raised and in July of 2002, two new police dogs, Bolo and Toben, were purchased. Bolo and Toben were imports from the Republic of Czech and served the department as dual-purpose dogs.
In the Summer of 2009, Bolo retired from the department and lived with his handler (Patrolman Roy Rahn) up until his death in October of 2009. Toben is expected to retire in June 2010 after the new K-9 is trained.
The cost of purchasing new K-9 officers to replace Bolo and Toben, their traning and incidental equipment is $24,000. The department budgets $14,000 a year to cover the costs of maintaining the dogs, but does not have the funds to pay for their purchase. Again, Cheryl Ellis stepped up to the plate and initiated another "Pay for the Pups" campaign. Bolo's replacement, K-9 Reno, has been purchased and is currently serving the department with his handler, Patrolman Roy Rahn.
Patrolman Jeff Bourbon and Patrolman Roy Rahn along with their canine partners continue to fight the "war on drugs" in the City of Cape Girardeau.
To view pictures and learn more about our K-9 handlers and their K-9 partners, click here.
- Special Response Team (SRT)
The Special Response Team (SRT) commonly known as SWAT, is a group of highly trained tactical unit designed for deployment during high risk incidents and to augment patrol and detective personnel where a highly trained group response is required. These incidents may include, but are not limited hostage situations, high-risk search warrants, high profile escort and crowd control.
Members of the SRT serve of on a voluntary basis. All members of the team hold other primary assignments within the department including patrol officers, detectives and Special operations. The SRT consists of one commander and ten operators. It was established in 1986 and contains two of the original members. The SRT trains a minimum of eight hours per month in addition to the critical operations throughout the year. In 2009, the SRT was activated for 15 critical indicents.
Click here for more photos of our SRT.
Southeast Missouri Regional Bomb Squad)
For such rural areas as ours, regionalization is the only answer to many special service requests. In 2006, the Southeast Missouri Regional Bomb Squad was formed after an offender in a bank robbery in Sikeston, Missouri threatened the use of explosives and authorities found such a device on him. After this event, Sikeston DPS began a grant process to acquire a regional unit of four local police departments that would assign personnel to the team. They received support for the project from the Missouri State Highway Patrol; the Cape Girardeau office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the St. Louis FBI office. The team was operational within 18 months. So far, it has responded to twice as many calls as anticipated.
The Cape Girardeau Police Department has one officer assigned to the Southeast Missouri Regional Bomb Squad. Ptlm. Jay Freeman has served on the squad since June 2007.
Detective Division
There are currently 12 employees assigned to the Detective Division. The division is responsible for investigating various areas such as suspicious death, child abuse, sex crimes, arson, computer and internet crimes and narcotics. Detectives are also highly trained in interrogation and interview techniques.
The division investigates approximately 1,600 cases a year and a clearance rate of 40% is consistently maintained. For specific information regarding our Detective Division, click here.
Special Operations Division
The Special Operations Division was created in 2002 and is currently directed by a Lieutenant. The division is comprised of the following units:
Since May of 2002, the Cape Girardeau Police Department has been in contract with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to provide security at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport. Two officers provide seven-day a week security, screening passengers and luggage. This effort is directed by the supervisor of the Special Operations Division.
The division is also responsible for coordinating special events such as: The SEMO District Fair, City of Roses Music Festival, The Veteran's 4th of July Celebration, and SEMO University Homecoming Parade as well as a number of charity events and races.
Click here for a parade application.
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