Support Services Bureau Overview
The Support Services division consists of sworn and professional staff whose purpose is to provide internal support to the organization and more importantly external support to members of the community. The Support Services Bureau consists of the following:
Community Outreach Unit - This unit is responsible for our Neighborhood Watch and Business Alert programs, social media outreach, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, Coffee with a Cop, Cops on the Corner, the Parent Project Program, Homeless Outreach, liaise with the Building Department and Code Enforcement, and many other community functions.
West Bay Communications Center - The communications division operates 24-hours a day and is staffed by one Lead Dispatcher and ten Dispatchers. These men and women have the responsibility of answering 9-1-1 calls as the public safety answering point (PSAP) for the cities of Pinole, Hercules, and San Pablo and dispatched police units to calls or transfer the caller to the appropriate agency, such as the Fire Department for fire and medical services. The communication center has direct communication with the police officers in the field by use of the radio system and the in-car computer system called the Mobile Data System (MDS).
Records Unit - Our Records Unit is responsible for the recording and processing of all crime reports and indexing statistical information regarding citations, reports, subpoena processing, records releases, records and contact checks, and all other administrative functions. Our records unit is also responsible for all counter and walk-in services.
Property and Evidence Unit - Our Property and Evidence Division is responsible for the intake and cataloging of all property taken into the police department as well as processing evidence for submission to the crime lab for further analysis.
Volunteers Unit - Our department cannot function without our volunteers! We rely heavily on our volunteers to assist us in projects and duties throughout the department, including patrol through the Pinole Posse program and in our Records Unit.
Explorer Unit - The Explorer Unit is our future. Here we take student volunteers 15-20.5 years old and teach them about the police department and policing. They also provide valuable volunteer services during various city functions throughout the city.