Geographic Policing

Geographic Policing Initiative

On September 1, 2004 the Roanoke Police Department implemented the Geographic Policing Initiative (GPI). The initiative is designed to foster an improved working relationship with citizens. The GPI is a continuation on the department’s ongoing efforts to enhance Community Policing. “The department has had great success in training and preparing all officers to become community oriented problem solvers and the Geographic Policing Initiative is the next step forward in bringing continued excellence in police service to the community.” -Chief A.L. Gaskins The preparation includes training officers, enhancing crime analysis capabilities, and establishing neighborhood watch groups and community civic leagues which are regularly attended by officers.

The next step in this process was to implement the Geographic Policing Initiative. The GPI altered the Patrol Bureau function to increase accountability at the Lieutenant’s level and below, while maintaining a high level of accountability above the rank of Lieutenant. Clear zones have been established, which are supervised by Lieutenants. This differs from the past when Lieutenants were assigned to a shift, as opposed to a location. Under the GPI, the zones also include a Sergeant for each shift and a Community Resource Officer who is assigned directly to the Lieutenant.
The four zones are labeled Zone 1 (Southeast), Zone 2 (Northeast), Zone 3 (Southwest) and Zone 4 (Northwest). The zones are divided as follows:

Zone 1 is all property east of the Roy Webber Expressway to the city limits, south of the railroad tracks to the city limits and greater Downtown.
Zone 2 is all property east of the Roy Webber Expressway to the city limits and north of the railroad tracks to the city limits.
Zone 3 is all property west of the Roy Webber Expressway to the city limits and south of the railroad tracks.
Zone 4 is all property west of the Roy Webber Expressway to the city limits and north of the railroad tracks to the city limits.

The implementation of the Geographic Policing Initiative also required the formation of a Uniform Support Unit. This unit provides assistance to other officers performing basic patrol functions. The unit includes the DARE/SRO Unit, the Crime Prevention Unit, the K-9 Unit and the Power Shift.

Another newly-formed unit is the Downtown Unit. Prior to the Geographic Policing Initiative, there were four different supervisors responsible for personnel in the Downtown Area. Placing that area under one unit maximized coverage and organized various assignments under one command.

All of the changes described above have done the following to enhance service to citizens:

Decrease police response times
Ensure a team policing approach where individual officers come together to collectively address crime problems
Improve delivery of services to the citizens of Roanoke
Increase accountability and responsiveness
Assist the department in meeting management goals and objectives

In addition to the changes mentioned above, citizens in each zone can receive tailor made responses to situations of concern.