Patrol Operations of the City of Radford Department of Police is the center of the law enforcement aspect of the Department.  It consists of one (1) lieutenant, four (4) sergeants (1 per patrol shift), four (4) corporals (1 per patrol shift) and patrol officers.  There are 4-5 total sworn officers per patrol shift. 

Each of the four sergeants and corporals works closely with the lieutenant to maintain the utmost professionalism and enforcement of the laws of Virginia and the City of Radford.  Patrol officers undergo training for a period of 5 months at a certified academy and then undergo field training specific to the Radford Department of Police under a Field Training Officer before being released to serve the public. 

In addition to traffic law enforcement, investigating vehicle accidents, and working criminal cases, Patrol Officers respond to calls for service in all areas.  They provide escorts during funeral services as well as escorts to banks for local businesses, they provide assistance for disabled vehicles (one of these services includes unlocking vehicles in which the keys have been locked inside), answer after hour animal control complaints, provide assistance in civil cases when needed, and many other extraordinary calls for service.  The Patrol Bureau, as well as the rest of the Department, is dedicated to the service of the public and the citizens of the City of Radford.

The citizens of Radford are invited to do a ride-along with any member of the Patrol Division at any time.  The ride-along must be approved by the Lieutenant of the Patrol Operations Bureau and all rules of the Department must be followed during the ride-along.  Any citizen wishing to do a ride-along must complete the following form and submit it to Lieutenant Schwarzer.   Persons wishing to do a ride-along must show up at the time expected and wear casual business attire.

Ride Along Form/Waiver

The Radford Department of Police actively does training through Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy located in Salem, VA.  It is one of eight regional training academies in Virginia, overseen by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. Information on this training facility can be found at www.cardinalacademy.org. All officers who are not previously certified attend the Basic Law Enforcement Academy.  It is currently twenty weeks long and covers all facets of Law Enforcement. It is a physically intensive, paramilitary training program with strong emphasis placed on academics and professionalism. In addition to a full time training staff, instructor base is supplemented by all member police and sheriff agencies. After graduation, Radford Officers are required to complete a minimum ten weeks Field Training Program with the Department. This Academy is where all departmental personnel also go for continuing training/education in the field.