Divisions

Patrol Division

Patrol is responsible for answering emergency and non-emergency calls within the immediate and surrounding areas. They're also responsible for traffic enforcement, crime prevention, accident investigations and community service. This department answers more than 32,000 calls annually and is manned by twenty-five uniformed officers, working four shifts, providing 24-hour coverage.

Criminal Investigations Division

The Criminal Investigations Division completes all follow-up investigations of cases initiated and generated by the Patrol Division. Detectives provide investigative assistance to the uniform officers on a 24-hour basis by having a detective equipped and capable of handling an immediate on-scene response if requested.

This division is currently comprised of a Detective Lieutenant, a Detective Sergeant, and two Detective Corporals. The Lieutenant is responsible for the review of all incoming cases, decisions on follow-up investigations, as well as case assignments for the three detectives.

Detectives are trained in a variety of areas and are capable of conducting investigations that encompass a wide array of criminal activity. After a thorough investigation and casework, detectives are responsible for bringing closure to all open cases and handling any necessary trial preparation.

Additionally, detectives are responsible for processing and maintaining all evidence that is recovered from a crime scene or criminal investigation. Detectives have the responsibility of evidence storage, maintaining the "chain of custody", and finally the presentation of the evidence in court. The Criminal Investigations Division is a proactive element of the Police Department, meeting routinely to discuss current trends and pending cases. Crime trends are analyzed to detect similar methods of operation and establish predictions on where and when similar crimes may occur. Detectives interact with other local law enforcement agencies to discuss on-going crime and develop creative avenues to resolve reoccurring problems.

Citizens Police Academy

The Universal City Citizens Police Academy is an eleven-week course designed to give citizens and local business owners an inside look at the Universal City Police Department. The course covers police related topics such as department operations, patrol, criminal investigations, accident investigation, warrants and other areas of police work.

Classes are student friendly, with classroom instruction, hands-on exercises and demonstrations of specialized police activities. This is a great opportunity for people who have an interest in law enforcement to get a firsthand look at how your police department works and what services we provide to our community.

This academy is open to all Universal City residents, business owners and their employees who wish to attend. Eligible persons must be 18 years of age and pass a criminal history check.

There is not a class scheduled at this time.