Operational Support Bureau

In 2019, the bike team:

• Booked 60 individuals and cited 167
• Submitted 37 cases for criminal charges
• Made 484 citizen contacts
• Took 183 reports
• Made 44 warrant arrests

The Bike Team worked with patrol officers to identify areas for neighborhood improvement. The team contributed in developing and carrying out action plans that resolved community issues through the use of directed patrol activities.  Many Bike Team members participated in other departmental duties including SWAT, Honor Guard, Field Training, and range instruction. The Bike Team supported the Criminal Investigations Bureau in numerous functions such as criminal apprehension and intelligence gathering.

Outside of enforcement, the Bike Team played an active role in the community, attending numerous events throughout the year. Below are just some of the City of Chandler events the Bike Team participated in:

• The Ostrich Festival and Parade
• City of Chandler Festivals
• 4^th of July Celebration
• Tumbleweed Tree Lighting and Parade
• Chandler Spooktacular
• Dia De Los Muertos
• Improving Chandler Area Neighborhoods (ICAN)
• For Our City Day
• City of Chandler Diversity Day
• Mayor’s Community Bike Ride
• Mayor’s Day of Play
• Special Olympics
• Art Walk – Downtown Chandler
• Family Movie in the Park
• Chandler Science Fair

Some of the Canine Unit’s activity highlights included:

• Fifty narcotics searches resulting in the discovery of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and currency related to illegal drug trade.
• Continued support of SWAT on pre-planned events and calls for service, setting the Canine Unit up for further integration with SWAT in coming years.
• Provided assistance with pre-event Explosive Ordinance Detection (EOD) to our law enforcement partners at high profile venues including ASU stadium, the Phoenix Open, and the TPC Golf Tournament.

Outside of regular duties, canine officers took over 130 general offense reports, initiated more than 400 traffic stops, and performed over 3,000 self-initiated activities including business checks, frequent patrols, and foot patrols.

The Canine Unit provided demonstrations for many groups and events including the Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods (GAIN) events, the CPD Citizens Academy, Youth Academies, and Cadets, the Chandler Unified School District, the Boy Scouts of America, the Chandler Woofstock Festival, and the Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Association. In addition, members of the unit participated in the certification of police dogs from agencies throughout Arizona.

The Canine Unit maintained a special relationship with Chandler citizens through community involvement and education. Residents and organizations demonstrated support for the department’s four-legged partners by making donations that were used for kennel renovations and equipment.

Accomplishments for the Community Resources Unit in 2019 included:

• 42 students graduated from Citizens Academies throughout the year
• 60 students graduated from Guardian Academies throughout the year
• The Police Cadets assisted with the annual Public Safety Fair
• Crime Prevention Officers instructed approximately 120 students in four Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) classes
• Community Resources installed 79 new Senior Lock Boxes and instated 5 new Neighborhood Watch Programs
• Crime Prevention Officers conducted 87 safety presentations and participated in 57 special events
• The unit conducted 12 department tours
• Approximately 100 students participated in four Youth Academy sessions
• Nearly 50 youth participated in four Wilderness Experience trips

In 2019, the CAU made 203 felony arrests, 37 misdemeanor arrests, and cleared 279 arrest warrants. Additionally, CAU completed 26 felony cases, stemming primarily from narcotics arrests from unrelated casework. CAU members also assisted patrol on 33 occasions, participated in 44 search warrants, and were called out by the Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) 16 times.

Some of CAU’s valuable partnerships included:

• Maricopa County Adult Probation Fugitive Apprehension Team
• S. Marshal’s East Valley Violent Offender Task Force
• Phoenix Police Department’s Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) and Street Crimes Unit
• Tempe Police Department’s Criminal Apprehension Surveillance Team (CAST)
• Gilbert Police Department’s Criminal Apprehension Team (CAT)

In conjunction with these partnerships, CAU continued to participate in annual warrant sweeps, including the U.S. Marshal’s “Operation Grinch Stopper,” “Operation Justice,” “Operation GRIT,” and the Maricopa County domestic violence warrant sweep.

In order to ensure preparedness for high-risk operations, CAU team members were also members of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). Here, team members received training, developed partnerships, and enhanced investigative skills that allowed CAU to excel.

In 2019, two CAU members were recognized by CPD with employee of the quarter awards as well as an employee of the year nomination.

DSU formulated new procedures in conjunction with the new City Court Magistrate, identified and published critical needs of patrol as it relates to arrest bookings to better communicate acceptance criteria, stayed informed on legal rulings and procedural intake challenges, and maintained relationships with our partners in the Phoenix Metro area.

Accomplishments for the unit included:

• The Detention Unit transported inmates daily to and from court for trials, initial appearances, and mental health hearings. All scheduled hearings and initial arraignments were maintained at an on time appearance rate of 100%.
• DSU began a formalized Field Training Officer (FTO) program. FTO certification was earned by three detention officers through the National Association of Field Training Officers (NAFTO).
• The unit maintained the federal standards of the Commercial Drivers program and met all criteria outlined for recertification.
• Several staff members were recognized in values alerts and various mentions.
• The DSU Detention Supervisor received the Chief’s Award of Excellence.
• DSU represented the Chandler Police Department at a widely publicized county funeral event involving the death of a corrections officer.

With a staff of three, FTU collaborated with instructors across many disciplines to fulfill Chandler Police Department’s (CPD) training needs. The unit conducted qualifications of primary handguns, back-up and off-duty weapons, rifles, and 40mm less lethal weapons. FTU also handled all annual firearms inspections, proficiency training and decision making scenarios, and new officer training.

Some of the Firearms Training Unit’s activity highlights included:

• FTU certified 25 officers on the use of patrol carbine, bringing the number of certified operators to 152 agency-wide.
• FTU conducted 200 hours of rifle training across a four-week period.
• The unit dedicated three weeks and over 150 hours to complete annual handgun qualifications and firearms inspections.
• FTU partnered with SWAT to hold 40mm less lethal transition courses and candidate qualification tests.
• The unit held 12 pistol elective courses
• Firearms training introduced the Handgun Optic course and certified 18 officers.
• FTU increased the hours required for POST academy.
• FTU contributed to the planning and construction of CPD’s new shooting range which opened March 2020.
• The unit participated in community events including the Chandler Cadet Competition, Youth and Citizen Academies, the NAACP and Chandler Leadership Institute, Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods (GAIN), Public Safety Day, and School Emergency Response Team (SERT).
• FTU oversaw the donation of tourniquets to classrooms at three Chandler Unified schools.
• The unit held open range days throughout the year with 177 participating officers.

2019 was a busy and productive year for the Firearms Training Unit as it provided progressive training and excellent customer service to the employees and citizens of Chandler.

The cadets were involved in notable community events including:

• Steven Martin Toy Drive warehouse cleanup
• Shred-a-thon and Drug Take Back events
• Annual Chandler Police Open House/Public Safety Day
• Chandler Ostrich Festival
• FBINAA Conference
• City of Chandler 4th of July Celebration
• Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods (GAIN) events
• Chandler Museum Chuck Wagon Cook-off
• Chandler Boys & Girls Club Thanksgiving Dinner

The Chandler Cadets also trained and competed in several competitions including:

• Chandler Police Cadet Tactical Competition
• Mesa Police Cadet Teambuilding Competition
• Scottsdale Police Cadet Competition
• Las Vegas Cadet Competition (EXCON)
• Lake Havasu Cadet Academy (HEAT)
• Phoenix PD Cadet Olympics
• Tempe PD/MCSO Cadet Competition

School Emergency Response Team (SERT):

In conjunction with the Chandler Fire Department, SROs taught six School Emergency Response Team (SERT) classes to Kyrene and Chandler School administrators that included instruction on important school safety topics. The School Resource Unit was also involved in lock down and evacuation drills at elementary school campuses and provided security for school athletic and social events.

Wilderness Youth Experience:

The unit completed three Wilderness Youth Program trips. During this program, SROs provided in-class instruction and practical outdoors experience to at-risk youth while backpacking near Flagstaff, Ariz. This program focused on team building, cultural diversity, decision making, leadership, and communication skills.

Youth Academy:

The unit also organized the Chandler Police Department (CPD) Youth Academies for students on school break. Students were introduced to the functions of CPD and participated in activities that helped students identify positive contributions they can make to their schools, their homes, and their community.

Other Accomplishments:

The unit was heavily involved in many other community events and activities such as the “Stand Up, Save a Life” event, the NAACP School Safety Panel, the Andersen Elementary soccer team, and the Kyrene Del Pueblo track team. Throughout the year, SROs participated in the Backpack event, the Shop with a Cop event, and the Chill with a Cop event. Each of these events provided an opportunity for the team to connect with students, parents, and the community while providing school resources, Christmas gifts, and positive interaction with law enforcement.

School Resource Officer Unit team members attended the state and national conferences and gained valuable knowledge and materials to benefit the CPD, Chandler schools, and the community.

Notable accomplishments for SWAT in 2019 included:

• SWAT was deployed on 47 occasions, including 27 search warrants.
• The SWAT Team assisted Tempe PD with high-profile events such as ASU games and Oktoberfest.
• Two SWAT members were selected by the National Tactical Officers Association to instruct on various topics across the nation and at the annual conference and hosted training at CPD’s new training facility.
• Team members participated in community events, demonstrations, and outreach such as the CPD Citizens Academy, Youth Academy, and Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods (GAIN) event.
• SWAT was part of the Central Phoenix Region Rapid Response Team for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), which required that SWAT be able to deploy to outside jurisdictions and be self-sustainable for three days.
• SWAT was integral in the School Emergency Response Team (SERT) training at Chandler Unified Schools.
• The team instructed the new 40mm less lethal program.
• Members attended the Law Enforcement Response to Suicide Bombers and earned a team certification.

The SWAT Team’s unwavering dedication to serving the community was evident in 2019 and will continue in the coming year as opportunities for development and deployment are presented.

The Traffic Unit promoted traffic safety by conducting motorcycle training for 99 non-police riders and distracted and impaired driving classes in high schools, colleges, and public forums. The unit participated in KPHO Channel 5’s Caught Misbehaving in which officers enforced speed and passing laws in school zones and high collision areas. The unit also met with principals from several schools to develop a solution for more efficient traffic flow and to stop illegal parking. The Traffic Unit managed the Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Instructor School at the new Chandler Public Safety Training Center where four nighttime DUI traffic team officers were certified as HGN instructors.

Chandler Police Department, Streets and Transportation, and the City Manager’s Office staff addressed an increase in pedestrian fatalities by ensuring the proper traffic safety measures are in place. This included data analysis and directed enforcement, partnerships that enhance information sharing, High-Intensity Activated CrossWalks (HAWKs), pedestrian safety education, and hotspot policing.

Vehicular Crimes Unit

The Vehicular Crimes Unit (VCU) investigated vehicle collisions involving serious injury or death, hit-and-run collisions, and Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) cases. VCU responded to 37 call-outs including 13 fatal crashes and 3 CIB assists. Fifty percent of all VCU cases were criminally charged. The unit was also responsible for the photo enforcement program, tow contracts and audits, the traffic messaging board, vehicle Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) downloads, impound hearings, National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBN) duties, and the phlebotomy program.

VCU community education in 2019 included:

• VCU detectives taught traffic courses at Chandler High Schools.
• Grant funding increased for projects such as Occupant Protection and Berla, a vehicle forensics tool.
• Vehicular Crimes assisted the DUI Unit with “Know Your Limit” DUI and pedestrian safety educational campaigns.
• VCU assisted the Traffic Unit with three civilian motorcycle schools.
• The unit enhanced the distracted driver class at high schools.
• Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe (BRAKES) teen safety driving class was presented to more than 200 teens and parents.

DUI Enforcement Unit

The DUI Enforcement Unit made 63% of all CPD DUI arrests in 2019 in an effort to reduce alcohol-related collisions and remove impaired drivers from Chandler roadways. The DUI Van mobile phlebotomy platform facilitated efficiency and expedited DUI processing.

In 2019 the DUI Enforcement Unit:

• Participated in numerous GOHS-supported DUI Task Force events for the various holiday weekends and Chandler events.
• Performed “Know Your Limit” DUI educational campaign administering over 6,000 PBTs across 12 events.
• Attended the Chandler City Open House.
• Participated in Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods (GAIN).
• Supported Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) by participating in Walk Like MADD events.
• Attended the Arizona State Fair Public Safety Days.
• Field trained new officers on DUI procedure.
• Provided on-call Drug Recognition Expert response to patrol and VCU requests for assistance.
• Attended the Vow to Drive Sober Event.
• Assisted VCU on fatal and serious injury collisions.
• Participated in Pedestrian-Bicycle Enforcement & Education Campaign with task force deployments.

A more formal style of briefing trainings was implemented as a way to connect the three phases of traditional AOT and cover the gap between learning opportunities. AOT consisted of driving training, law enforcement topics for sworn and professional staff, class room presentations, and multiple proficiency courses.  The Training Unit delivered over 15,000 hours of AOT to more than 500 students and over 3,000 hours of elective instruction to over 450 students.

In 2019, the Training Unit offered seven certification courses, hosted six law enforcement seminars in the new training auditorium, partnered with multiple vendors to offer elite training delivered by professionals from around the country, and conducted more than 300 hours of instruction for AZPOST including support to police academies and recruits. The unit prepped 20 new officers, provided advanced training to 18 officers in Post Academies, and trained three lateral officers. The unit worked with the Field Training Officer (FTO) program to facilitate the transition from classroom instruction to field education as well as to overhaul the FTO training model.

The Training Unit supported employee wellness by administering four physical fitness tests, a health and wellness evaluation, and implemented a new body composition exam. Training Unit members also served on a new CPD committee assembled to identify needs and opportunities to improve officer wellness.  The unit emphasized de-escalation and crisis intervention concepts rooted in active listening and rapport building techniques. Classes and presentations illustrated how crisis and force are intertwined and tested students through a series of scenarios.

This year, the Training Unit sergeant became an instructor for the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA) Officer Wellness Program and two officers earned certifications as simunitions instructors.