The Augusta Department of Public Safety (ADPS) Patrol Division is comprised of the officers that citizens have the most frequent contact with and see patrolling the community everyday.

The Patrol Division is made up of 4 shifts or teams. These crews are led by a patrol Sergeant, and staffed by Safety Officers. Currently there are 12 officers allotted to the patrol division. The patrol division currently works 12 hour shifts consisting of a "day shift" that runs from 7 am to 7 pm, and a "night shift" that runs from 7 pm to 7 am. The 12 hour shift concept is one that many agencies are looking into or changing to with respect to law enforcement. While the shift is extended four hours more than a typical work day, our shift are arranged so that the officers work no more than 80 hours in any normally scheduled pay period, or two weeks. In addition, this schedule gives every officer, regardless of rank, every other weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) off.

The patrol division is responsible for all aspects of law enforcement. Our officers respond to calls for service or assistance from citizens, enforce traffic laws, enforce city ordinances, respond to medical calls within the city of Augusta, and conduct routine patrol of the city limits as part of their duties. In addition, with our officers being cross-trained as firefighters, our patrol officers respond to fire alarms in the city limits and within a 3 mile perimeter of the city. This response can be critical to the incoming fire units as the officers become the first eyes on the scene to give a "size up," or tell the firefighters what is going on. This has also proven to be very beneficial on fires that require mutual aide from other agencies as the first officer on scene can relay the extent of the alarm which can weigh on the fire division officer's decision to call for extra equipment before they ever get on scene.

Our patrol officers handle most calls and / or cases from beginning to end. Some larger agencies have officers that respond to the call for assistance, then after gathering the information the case is forwarded to detectives. Our agency requires the patrol officer to respond to the call, investigate the problem to the best of their ability (with assistance of the Investigations division if needed), prepare the case for prosecution, and finally testify to secure the conviction. This allows each officer to enhance their knowledge for possible future promotions or transfers, as well as builds a strong learning base for officers to enhance their own abilities without constraints. Should the case be of an extremely serious nature or become unmanageable by the case officer, the Investigations Division may be asked to assist with or take over the case.

Our agency creates between 2000 and 2500 cases per year. These cases include criminal offenses that require prosecution as well as cases made for documentation of a specific incident. In addition, our officers issue approximately 3000 citations per year for traffic and other ordinances within the city limits.