Agency Training
Emphasizing a quality training program is a priority to the City of Goose Creek Police Department because of the highly visible nature of police officers. This (combined with the large amount of interaction with citizens, businesspersons and the general public) is why officer training is so important.
An educated and well-trained officer will conduct himself/herself in a positive, professional manner. This focus on training has created a professional image and a reputation of public trust and confidence that has become the trademark of both the department and the City.
Officers receive training in a host of topics, ranging from legal and procedural guidelines to qualifications with weapons carried by the officers. Training is an ongoing function within the agency. Each officer is required to re-qualify and re-certify on a regular basis.
Crime Prevention
The Special Operations Division is responsible for the Police Department’s community oriented policing activities. Crime prevention and education programs such as Neighborhood Watch allow citizens to become a vital partner in the City’s safety efforts. Safety and crime prevention meetings may be scheduled upon request.
School Resource Officers
The duties of the School Resource Officer include:
- Handling all criminal activities that occur on school property
- Counseling and referrals
- Providing and assessing school security
- Establishing crime prevention programs within the school
The Goose Creek Police Department has had a full time officer assigned to Stratford High School for three years thanks to Federal and State School Resource Officer (SRO) Grants. An additional SRO was added to Stratford High School - funded by the state. The police department entered into an agreement with Berkeley County School District for a SRO that would work at Westview Middle School and Marrington Middle School. This position was also made available by State funds.
Communications
The City of Goose Creek Police Department’s Communications Center is a 24-hour operation that is under general supervision of the Communications Supervisor.
The communications center is responsible for dispatching and monitoring all radio equipment for the City including:
- Police
- Fire
- Emergency medical services (EMS)
- Mutual aid
- Public works
- Sanitation divisions
The communications specialists are responsible for gathering information, evaluating situations, processing all information into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, assisting callers and dispatching the proper parties to related calls. The agency employs twelve communications specialists.
If you have a police, fire or EMS emergency, dial 9-1-1. If you need to reach the City of Goose Creek Police Department Communications Center for a non-emergency, dial 572-4300.
Special Response & Tactics (SRT) Team
The Goose Creek Police Department has established an SRT Team to respond to critical incidents such as Barricaded Subjects, High Risk Warrant Service, Drug Search Warrants, Hostage Situations and Domestic Terrorism. The SRT Team, consisting of a Team Commander, two Team Leaders and twelve Team Members, attends specialized training to prepare for their missions.
Animal Control
The City of Goose Creek provides two animal control personnel. These are non-sworn employees who wear a designated animal control uniform. They respond and deliver essential services using marked animal control vehicles (pickup trucks). The City of Goose Creek Police Department animal control officers can be reached at 863-5200, ext. 318 or 572-4300.
For information on the ordinance relating to permitted number of pets, click here.
