Patrol Division

The Shelby Township Police Department patrol division is divided into four platoons: two day shifts and two night shifts. Each platoon works a twelve-hour schedule, which allows us to provide patrol coverage to all twenty-six square miles of the township 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Patrol Officers are assigned to a specific area each shift and are responsible for the calls that occur in that area. Calls for service can range from barking dog and loud neighbor complaints to armed robbery and violent assault. Patrol Officers also respond to non-criminal requests for service, such as assisting stranded motorists, checking on the welfare of sick or elderly residents and occasionally relocating wayward wildlife. When they are not responding to calls, Officers monitor their assigned areas for traffic violations, suspicious situations and other circumstances where assistance may be needed.

Many Patrol Officers hold additional specialized roles, such as Evidence Technician, Traffic Investigator, Tactical Response Unit member or Community Services Unit member, and must be ready to act in those capacities at any time during their shift.

While much of a Patrol Officer’s day is spent responding to calls, our Officers also take the time to engage with the community. They are known for handing out ice cream or Slurpee tickets and plastic badges to children and stopping in to visit business owners and residents throughout their shifts simply to say hello and see how things are going.