The Patrol Division
The Patrol Division for the La Quinta Police Department covers an area of over thirty-three (33) square miles and serves a population of over 32,200 permanent residents and on the average of 12,000 seasonal residents (October thru May). This area takes in a large business area along the Hwy 111 corridor and the remainder is predominately residential; either single family dwellings or gated communities.
For the year 2003, the La Quinta Police Department responded to over twenty-one thousand five hundred calls for service, or approximately fifty-nine (59) calls for service daily. These calls for police service were placed to the Department, either through the 911 system, or through non-emergency phones. The patrol deputies handle the initial investigations of thefts, burglaries, robberies, assaults, and all other felony, misdemeanor, and public service calls. Upon completion of the initial investigation, the case is either suspended, continued to the Investigations Division, closed by arrest, referred to the District Attorney for review/prosecution, or unfounded.
The La Quinta Police Department Contract consists of 38 sworn deputy sheriff's positions and 7 non-sworn positions for a total of forty-five (45) positions. Nineteen of these positions are dedicated to the patrol division with the remaining deputies dedicated to special assignments such as the Traffic Division, Special Enforcement Teams, School Resource Officer, Motorcycle Officer and Gang and Narcotics Enforcement. Sworn supervision, Investigators and Administration further support the deputy sheriff's positions. The police contract also contains several non-sworn support positions in the form of Community Service Officers who assist with the daily operation of the station and to support field services. Together, they are able to provide professional service to the citizens of La Quinta.
The La Quinta Police Department supports and promotes the concept of Community Oriented Policing. The Police Department prides itself in providing state of the art equipment and training to all its personnel so we can provide the best level of service to the citizens of La Quinta. The La Quinta Police Department also operates an off-site Community Oriented Policing Office, located at 51-351 Avenida Bermudas. This location provides easier access to police services for those citizens who live in the Cove area of the City.