:: west palm beach police department ::

The Field Operations Bureau is the largest working unit in the police department. The Patrol Divisions of the West Palm Beach Police Department operate on a four-on / four-off rotation, with officers working 11.5 hour shifts which are staggered and overlap between the Day Shift Platoon and the Night Shift Platoon. The City of West Palm Beach is divided into three Divisions for police response. The South Division is referred to as Division II.
division 2 map

Over 60 men and women are assigned to the Division II Patrol Platoons, including a dedicated unit of officers and supervisors assigned to the Downtown Central Business and Entertainment District. Additional resources are provided to the division from various ancillary units with-in the department including: Quick Response Teams, Community Response Team Officers, Narcotics Division Personnel, Traffic Section Officers, K-9 Officers, Police Aviation Unit, Community Service Aides, Criminal Investigations Division Detectives, Crime Scene Investigators, and various department volunteer resources.

Division II is comprised of the area from Quadrille Blvd. south to the City of Lake Worth; and extends westward along the eastern shore of Clear Lake in the Downtown; and along the western city limit south of Okeechobee Boulevard. This land area is approximately 8 square miles, and includes five Patrol Sectors which are staffed twenty-four hours a day.

Division II encompasses a large geographic area with a wide array of uses, including: urban high density downtown business / residential / commercial / entertainment district; single family residential areas bordered by commercial strip development along principal roadways; large scale rental residential and/or condominium communities; the Downtown Entertainment District including the Clematis Street and City Place shopping and entertainment venues; the Federal and County Courthouses; governmental centers for both Palm Beach County and the City of West Palm Beach; the Flagler Drive Waterfront Festival Site; Meyer Amphitheatre; Kravis Center for the Performing Arts; and the Palm Beach County Convention Center; Palm Beach Atlantic University, the Palm Beach Zoo; and several public and parochial school campuses.

In order to deliver more effective and efficient police service, the West Palm Beach Police Department utilizes a GIS driven crime mapping software to analyze crime patterns and trends. Commanders and line officers have access to this mapping system in order to gather real time information about calls for service and crime incidents. This knowledge allows for effective deployment of manpower to impact both crime and quality of life issues, and allow for rapid adjustment. Monthly COMPSTAT sessions are attended by Lieutenants and Command Staff members in order to assess crime patterns and evaluate the effectiveness of our efforts to address these issues.

The Division II Management Team can be reached by telephone or e-mail, and works closely with leaders in the Neighborhood and Homeowner Associations, and Business Community to address crime and quality of life issues for our residents, workers, and visitors.

Division Commander – Captain Kim Myers (561) 822-1754
Email kmyers@wpb.org

Day Shift I – Lieutenant Chris Fahey (561) 822-1740
Email cfahey@wpb.org

Day Shift II – Lieutenant David Bernhardt (561) 822-1736
Email dbernhardt@wpb.org

Night Shift I – Lieutenant Thomas Hale (561) 822-1743
Email thale@wpb.org

Night Shift II – Lieutenant Sarah Mooney (561) 822-1753
Email smooney@wpb.org

Downtown Central Business / Entertainment District Unit
The West Palm Beach Police Dept. embarked on an innovative project in December 2007. In conjunction with the Community Redevelopment Agency we formed the Entertainment District Unit. Borrowing ideas from other highly successful programs in Nashville and Memphis, Tn. we created a highly focused unit of dedicated Officers and supervisors. The EDU is tasked with providing for the safety and security of those that live, work and play in the vibrant downtown of West Palm Beach.
In 2007 and continuing into 2008 we have strived to create partnerships with various entities in the downtown such as the Downtown Development Authority which is responsible for marketing and attracting new businesses to the downtown. We also work very closely with IPC Security and the Related Group serving the needs of City Place, the largest open air shopping area in Palm Beach County. Many of the thriving businesses in downtown have partnered as well with the EDU in achieving a high level of commitment to providing safety and growth in the downtown.

The EDU has been responsible for enacting a highly successful teen curfew as well as a new “mapping program” for first time offenders. We have opened up levels of communication which previously did not exist between businesses, city officials and private/public firms thus ensuring we all work together for the betterment of the downtown.

Officers of the EDU utilize non-traditional means of patrolling such as bicycles, segways and extensive foot patrols. The focus is always on community outreach and open lines of communication. These innovative patrolling techniques allow the officers of the EDU to remain engaged with the public we serve. The EDU also wears a specialized uniform designed to allow for them to be better seen at night and stand out in a crowd.

2008 is an exciting year in downtown and the EDU hopes to play a vital role as we remake downtown West Palm Beach into the most vibrant shopping and entertainment district in all of South Florida.

Patrol Division II - Entertainment District Management Team
Lieutenant Randy Maale (561) 822-1751 rmaale@wpb.org

Platoon I - Sergeant Amy Sinnott (561) 822-1617
Platoon II - Sergeant Cliff Hagan (561) 822-1983