Patrol

The goal of the Patrol Division is to address community problems and assure a safe community environment through directed and routine patrol. As the most visible and largest division of the police department, the Patrol Division provides the first response to emergency and non-emergency incidents. Patrol personnel proactively address community problems, use various specialized units for special community problems, and deliver police services to city residents.


Photo of a Nampa Police Officer standing by a new Patrol CarA total of 88 patrol officers staff eight teams in the patrol division. Two watch commanders (Lieutenants) act as supervisors of the shifts. Each patrol team has a Sergeant and Corporal directly supervising the team. The schedule has a day shift, early swing shift, a late swing shift and a night shift each day. The officers work 10 hour shifts, 4 days a week (Sun-Wed/Wed-Sat) with overlap on Wednesdays. This day is used for training and the teams alternate every other week so that everyone is able to attend training days.


Many extra duty assignments including K-9, Tactical Response Team (TRT), Field Training Officer, and Crime Scene Investigator, are available to the patrol officers. See the Specialties page for a full list of specialties. As with any department, the patrol division is the backbone of the agency, with most of the department's resources being put into this division.


For fiscal 2022, Nampa Police Department has 144 authorized sworn positions. For inquiries on openings in patrol, please visit our recruitment page.


In an attempt to offer better police services and more effective policing, we utilize COMPSTAT model of policing. COMPSTAT  is a performance management system that is used to reduce crime and achieve other police department goals. COMPSTAT emphasizes information-sharing, responsibility and accountability, and improving effectiveness. It includes four generally recognized core components:


(1) Timely and accurate information or intelligence; 
 (2) Rapid deployment of resources; 
 (3) Effective tactics; and 
 (4) Relentless follow-up.


The most widely recognized element of COMPSTAT is its regularly occurring meetings where department executives and officers discuss and analyze crime problems and the strategies used to address those problems.


If implemented properly, COMPSTAT will create a shared sense of purpose for a department’s strategies, tactics, activities and outcomes.