| Mission - This department constitutes an
organization whose very existence is justified solely on the basis of community
service. Although departmental regulations provided a working pattern, our
official activity must not be confined within the limited orbit described by
them. Actually, that portion of the police service dealing with real criminals
is only a small part of our overall responsibility. The greater percentage of
our time and energy is expanded on non-criminal service functions and in
dealing with law abiding citizens of the community. We should consider it our
duty and privilege, not only to protect and defend the rights guaranteed under
our structure of government. It may be said that matters of civil laws are not
a basic police responsibility and within reasonable limits, we should attempt
to avoid becoming entangled in them. However, many situations can best served
only when we assist in such matters. Our broad philosophy must embrace a
wholehearted determination to protect and support individual rights, while at
all times providing for the security of persons and property in the community.
It is not the role of the department to legislate, to render legal judgments or
to punish. In meeting this objective, it is our duty to operate a public
service organization. |