The Special Operations Division (SOD) is comprised
operationally of the SOD Lieutenant, the Drug Enforcement
Unit (DEU), and the Directed Patrol Unit (DPU). Additionally,
the SOD has administrative and operational oversight
of the Special Response Team (SRT), the Canine Unit,
and the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT).
The Canine Unit has seven canine teams. Six of the
canine teams are assigned to Patrol Division squads.
The seventh team is assigned to the Drug Enforcement
Unit. One of the canine teams assigned to a Patrol
Division squad is certified in explosives detection.
The canine teams are always “on-call,” if
the on-duty canine team is unavailable due to training
or leave.
Each canine team is required to attend bi-monthly
retraining (the explosives detection/patrol team is
required to attend three retraining sessions per month),
and to maintain North American Police Work Dog Association
(NAPWDA) certification standards. All of the canines
are licensed through the Maryland State Police Licensing
Division. The canine teams are certified in obedience,
agility, area searches, article searches, building
searches, tracking, and controlled aggression. Six
of the canine teams are certified in the detection
of marijuana, hashish, cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin,
meth-amphetamine, and ice. The seventh canine team
is certified in explosives detection.
The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is a team of specially
trained law enforcement officers who attempt to resolve
critical incidents through direct negotiation/communication
with the suspects. CIT members have other full-time
assignments, and are “called out” during
critical incidents that require their special skills.
CIT members usually work in conjunction with members
of the Special Response Team.
The Directed Patrol Unit (DPU) is tasked with problem
solving of criminal activity in neighborhoods and
with directing enforcement efforts toward specific
or reoccurring crimes, motor vehicle offenses, municipal
infractions, and other reported problems. In addition
to problem solving and working with neighborhood residents,
the DPU is also responsible for assisting the Patrol
Division with accident investigations. Other duties
of the DPU include assisting the Drug Enforcement
Unit with operations and working special events.
The DPU conducts crime analysis on an on-going basis,
focusing on specific crimes that occur within the
city, to identify crime patterns and crime series,
and to be able to efficiently and effectively respond
to these crimes. Some of the crimes continually monitored
by the DPU include: robberies, burglaries, vehicle
thefts, and thefts from vehicles. As patterns of certain
crimes become apparent, DPU members research departmental
information sources in an effort to determine any
particular series, and then implement a problem solving
plan to attempt to apprehend the suspects. The DPU
also attempts to proactively locate subjects who have
open arrest warrants and criminal summons through
this agency.
The primary mission of the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU)
is to protect the quality of life for the citizens
of Frederick through assertive enforcement of laws
related to illegal drug dealing and possession, as
well as prostitution. The DEU conducts “street-level
operations,” long-term drug investigations leading
to search and seizure warrants and criminal arrests,
as well as investigations into businesses involved
in organized prostitution. Additional responsibilities
of the DEU include: supporting other units and divisions
within the Department through surveillance; assistance
with search and seizure warrants, and the sharing
of drug investigation expertise. The DEU also administers
the department’s asset forfeiture program in
conjunction with the Frederick County State’s
Attorneys Office.
The primary mission of the Special Response Team (SRT)
is to aide the department in the tactical resolution
of critical incidents, and to assist in the service
of search and seizure warrants, arrest warrants, and
other special operations when requested. Like CIT,
SRT members have other full-time assignments, and
are called out when needed.
