Organization
The Fort Valley Police Department is divided into three divisions:
- Uniformed Police Division
- Criminal Investigations
- Office of Professional Standards
- Responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for assistance within the community
- Enforcing city ordinances, state laws, and federal statutes
- Preserving the public peace
- Preventing, detecting, and investigating crimes
- Protecting lives, property, and individual rights
- Apprehending and prosecuting offenders
The Fort Valley Police Department also has two K-9 units. These very valuable K-9 officers are highly trained animals and are nationally certified in narcotics detection.
Criminal Investigations. These officers are tasked with investigating major crimes to include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, burglary, fraud (of all kinds), street gang activity, elder abuse, arson, terrorism, and missing persons cases. The Criminal Investigations Division officers are highly trained and motivated individuals. In addition to investigating and solving crimes, these officers also make a significant contribution toward the prevention of crime. This is done by analyzing crime data, gathering intelligence information, and recognizing patterns of criminal activity.
Office of Professional Standards. This office reports directly to the Chief of Police and is responsible for the internal security of the Fort Valley Police Department.Â
This office ensures the integrity of the police department through the objective and intensive investigation of any allegations of police misconduct. The integrity and reputation of a police force are vital. Without these characteristics, it would be impossible for the department to accomplish its mission. That said, it is the Office of Professional Standards' responsibility to help the department maintain its credibility and respect, both from the public and among its members.
The members of the Office of Professional Standards is responsible for investigating all citizen complaints to include excessive force, abuse of authority, and ethnic slurs. In addition, this office investigates complaints made by department members against other personnel.
The Office of Professional Standards is also responsible for providing the Chief of Police with a means for assessing the police department’s efficiency and effectiveness. Members of this office also ensure that the department's personnel receive the necessary training required for certified police officers.
The Administrative Services office is a part of this division. This three-person team performs a multitude of tasks to include answering the phones, greeting visitors to the department, and handling all requests for records and reports.