The City of Atlantis Police Department was formed in 1959, with
a full-time Chief of Police and two part-time police
officers. Police department staffing now consists of 13 full
time sworn police officers, two part time officers, a
support services manager, and four full-time dispatchers.
The current rank structure of the department consists of a
Police Chief, Sergeants, and Police Officers. The department
is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The
Police Department has always embraced the philosophy of
community oriented policing, long before this concept became
a “buzz word” in law enforcement. The department has a
very straightforward mission statement, “to affirmatively
promote, preserve, and maintain a feeling of security,
safety and quality service to the members of our community.”
Technological advances, such as enhanced E-911 dispatching,
Reverse 911 emergency automated community notification, and
gatehouses equipped with security cameras and license plate
recognition software help to insure a high level of security
for the residents of Atlantis and assist the department in
the accomplishment of its mission.
Minimum
staffing requires that two officers be on duty at all times,
with additional personnel available as needs and scheduling
dictate. Officers patrol in sport utility vehicles and
marked and unmarked sedans. All marked vehicles are equipped
with mobile in-car video equipment, laptops with mobile
crime data capabilities, radar or laser traffic equipment, a
crime scene kit, fire extinguisher, and photography
equipment. As all officers are required to be Emergency
Medical Technicians, each vehicle is also equipped with
emergency medical supplies such as a first aid kit, oxygen,
semi-automatic defibrillator, and other equipment to enable
officers to respond to a wide variety of medical
emergencies. A number of officers are also certified fire
fighters and these officers carry their fire gear and are
ready at a moments notice to switch from law enforcement to
fire rescue duties.
Officers
are proficient in a number of police specialties; they may
be assigned as criminal investigators, crime scene
technicians and/or photographers, bicycle patrol officers,
evidence storage technicians, code enforcement officers,
DUI/traffic enforcement officers, or Traffic Homicide
Investigators. Members of the department have also attained
certification as police trainers in a number of disciplines,
including firearms, defensive tactics, human diversity,
ethics, Taser, expandable baton, pepper spray, and other
non-lethal weapons. Department trainers instruct outside the
agency as well as in, providing training to basic recruits
at the police academy, and officers at other police
agencies.
The
Police Department provides many services to residents and
visitors of the City. Services include fingerprinting of
adults and children, crime prevention security surveys for
home and business owners, security checks of closed homes
and businesses, bicycle and stranger/danger programs for
children, and security and police expertise for special city
events such as the “Holiday on Wheels Parade” and the
annual Health Fair. The department participates in community
service programs by distributing crime prevention and safety
equipment such as the "Club" anti-auto theft
device, motor vehicle child safety seats, and bicycle
helmets for children.
While
the Atlantis Police Department is a relatively small agency,
the department is actively involved with other local police
agencies in countywide enforcement initiatives such as the
Palm Beach County Multi-Agency Gang Task Force, the
Multi-Agency Robbery Task Force, the Multi-Agency Auto Theft
Task Force, the Violent Crimes Task Force, and Palm Beach
County’s Child Protective Team.
Police
and Fire (Non-Emergency Dispatch): 561-965-1700, Fax
561-968-9443
Police (Administration): 965-1711
Emergency: 911