The Police Department’s Patrol Division annually handles over 55,000 calls for service in a city with a permanent population of approximately 22,000 residents and 6,000 businesses. Officers handle an average of 150 calls for service a day. Many of the service calls involve non-residents who come to Jacksonville Beach to visit the beach, shops, restaurants, and night clubs. In addition, numerous free parking spaces near the beach guarantee crowds most of the year.

The Patrol Division has the largest complement of police personnel (38 full-time, 15 part-time positions) because most of the calls for service are handled at that level. Officers are split evenly into Groups A and B. Each group alternates working five 10-hour shifts followed by four days off. The groups overlap four days each month, allowing ongoing professional development and training. Officers work an average of 17 days a month.

Because of its easy accessibility and substantial free parking, Jacksonville Beach is the major beach community where the one million population of the Jacksonville metropolitan area comes to play. Additionally, several annual festivals and events increase the need for police services.

The Patrol Division has a fleet of patrol cars, 4x4 SUV’s, ATV’s, and bicycles to patrol the city and the beach proper. All of the cars and SUV’s are equipped with computers that use a wireless mobile data system that accesses NCIC/FCIC, DHSMV, and the department’s records system, in order to complete reports electronically. Officers can also be dispatched to calls electronically.

The Patrol Commander can be reached at 904-247-6344.