Home Patrol Operations
Patrol Operations

Patrol operations are divided into five districts. The districts are managed by officers that work 12-hour day and night shifts. These patrol officers respond to the community’s calls for service, enforce traffic and criminal laws, address community needs and initiate actions based on their own observations.

Patrol is the backbone of the police organization. The police department uses foot patrol, one- and two-officer cars, undercover cars, and segways to patrol Benton.

The patrol division operates on the community-policing model in which input from the community is vital to determining policing strategies. Officers attend community meetings to interact with the residents and address their concerns regarding law enforcement. The patrol division provides the initial response to calls for service from the public. Patrol officers are responsible for the prevention of crime, enforcement of all laws, the arrest and prosecution of criminals and the protection of life and property.

The patrol division is also responsible for traffic and crowd control at all the major parades and events in the Town.

In addition to daily patrol functions, the officers must also frequently attend court for misdemeanor and felony cases.


Town parks are heavily patrolled by the district officers to reduce the problems officers normally encounter each summer season. The goal is to reduce the problems of disorderly youths, criminal mischief, fights, drug activities and bike thefts to make our parks safe for family activities throughout the summer.

 
K9 Unit Print

The Benton Police Department has had an established K-9 unit for some time.

The department currently has three K-9s, 2 cross-trained in patrol/narcotics and 1 trained in just narcotics. The department’s K-9 teams play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the police department. The support and resources they provide to the patrol operation is immeasurable. The teams have been credited with numerous drug seizures and searches for persons while aiding the Benton police and other state agencies.

We are proud of this unit and the professionalism with which they serve the citizens of Benton every day. Currently, the K-9 handlers (police officers) and their partners (the K-9's) are assigned to the patrol division and they assist with calls for service.

Honor

Honor is 18 months old and is a Belgian Malinois breed.  He is assigned to Ofc. Larry Applegarth and they are currently assigned to the patrol division.  Honor is a dual purpose K-9 and is trained in narcotic detection, and criminal apprehension and tracking.

Ofc. Applegarth and Honor have both completed their certifications at the Little Rock K-9 Academy.  Honor is certified through the National Narcotic Dog Detector Association (NNDDA), which is a professional, nonprofit organization dedicated to the utilization and proficiency of scent detector dogs for the benefit of Law Enforcement

The cost for Honor was $8,000 which was paid for partly from drug seizure money and from Saline County Prosecuting Attorney Ken Cassidy.  This cost included all associated training and certifications for Honor and Ofc. Applegarth, and all future training that the two will attend over the course of Honor’s tenure at the department.

Rudy

Now retired, Rudy served the citizens of Benton for approximately 8 years.  While assigned to patrol Rudy was instrumental in the apprehension of numerous large narcotics seizures including a vehicle that is used for School resource functions.


Lucky

Lucky has been serving since January, 2009.  He is handled by Sgt. Bigelow.  He is trained in patrol functions as well as narcotics detection.

Benton

Benton has been serving since March 2009.  He is handled by Ofc. Fowlkes.  Benton is a 1 year old black labrador retriever. He is trained in narcotics detection.  He was credited with seizing approximately $20,000 in drug money in June of 2009 and a vehicle for the Saline Co. Sheriff's Dept. in July of the same year.

Benton's name was chosen by holding a contest among local 3rd graders.  They submitted a name and an essay explaining why the name should be chosen.  Student Autumn Myers, 9, a student at Ringgold Element-ary School, named the narcotic detection dog after the city she loves — Benton.

 

 

 
 
Hostage Negotiation Team Print

The Benton H.N.T. is comprised of 6 Negotiators. These Negotiators received extensive training from various agencies including the FBI and NYPD. This training consists of not only Hostage Negotiation techniques but also in Crisis Management. The H.N.T. responds to a multitude of different calls for service including: Hostage Situations, Barricaded Persons, Emotionally Disturbed Persons, and Suicide Attempts. During these calls for service the Negotiators use psychological techniques known as Active Listening Skills to calm the situation before negotiations can take place. Negotiators work very closely with the S.W.A.T. Team by gaining and relaying any tactical information pertaining to the situation at hand. The main goal of the H.N.T. is to have the situation at hand be resolved in a peaceful manner.
 
FTO Program Print

The Benton Police Department, in keeping with community expectations for professional police service, has established the Field Training Officer Program.  The mission of the FTO Program is to prepare new recruits to perform the essential duties of a police officer and to enhance the professionalism through continuous quality improvement.  Each new recruit will receive 584 hours of training through the FTO Program, unless specified otherwise by the Chief of Police.

 
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Accident Reconstruction Print

Vehicular accident reconstructions are conducted by specialy trained officers at the Benton Police Dept., to answer questions about automobile accidents, such as if the accident could have been avoided, who was driving, who was breaking the law, where were the victims seated, were they using seat belts? Through accident reconstruction, rigorous analysis is done, that yields valuable information at trial. Accident reconstructions are done in cases involving fatalities, and often when personal injury is involved. They are often used to assist agencies to assess legal liability in civil and criminal lawsuits.
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Vehicle Accidents Print

Any time that you are involved in an automobile accident in the City of Benton you should report it to the police.  You should contact the police at the time of the incident.  The Benton Police Dpt. offers assistance with accidents that occur on the roadway as well as incidents that occur on private property.  Officers will not find fault in a private property incident but they will assist you with exchanging information with the other driver, and documenting the incident for your insurance company.
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