police department

    The Patrol Division is the largest and most visible group within the Police Department. It
   consists of uniformed officers in marked vehicles. Officers patrol the city, watching for criminal
   activity, traffic violations, and other hazards. Patrol Officers are trained to investigate crimes
   and follow cases through the criminal justice system.

   The Detective Division investigates crimes that require a more detailed and time-consuming
   investigation. These plain-clothes officers follow up on cases that are referred to them from the
   Patrol Division after an initial report has been made. They also follow up on tips and citizen
   reports of illegal or suspicious activity.

   The Dispatchers of the Communications Division are usually the first point of contact for
   citizens who call or come to the Police Department for assistance. These multi-talented
   individuals are responsible for answering citizen calls, evaluating and prioritizing calls during busy
   periods, receiving and routing information to the proper officers, and maintaining all the records
   for the Police Department.  Dispatchers track the nature and status of all calls while officers are
   working them.  It is imperative that dispatchers have a working knowledge of the City Code and
   Missouri Statutes.

   The School Resource Officer is involved in a joint effort program between the Ozark School
   System and the Police Department. This officer is assigned to work in the schools so that a
   strong relationship between the students and the Police can be maintained. It is also
   beneficial having the officer available should problems arise.

   The Community Resource Officer assists the community with safety and crime prevention
   programs such as bike safety and child ID. Citizens who are interested in creating Neighborhood
   Watch Programs or business owners who would like to educate employees on crime prevention
   should contact the Community Resource Officer for assistance