Community Outreach· Problem Oriented Public Safety
POPS Mission: The Washington State Patrol, in partnership
with our communities, uses problem solving, education,
enforcement, and assistance activities to improve public safety.
Learn about POPS, then locate a POPS Coordinator in your area who will work with you on local public safety issues. Or contact the agency POPS Coordinator, Lieutenant Mike Turcott, Field Operations Bureau, at (360) 596-4124, PO Box 42600, Olympia WA 98504-2600.
What is Problem Oriented Public Safety (POPS)?
The Washington State Patrol has traditionally responded to public safety issues through random patrols and reactive responses to calls for service. However, in the 1990's the Patrol began combining the traditional concept of law enforcement with the philosophy of Problem Oriented Public Safety (POPS), which focuses on bringing the State Patrol, citizens, and other stakeholders together to work as partners to address public safety issues.
Many community and problem oriented policing (COPS/POPS) models have emerged in city, county, and state police agencies throughout the country. POPS is the Washington State Patrol's tailored approach to problem oriented policing. The two major tenets of problem oriented policing are:
Problem Solving using a model called SARA (scanning, analysis, response, assessment); and
Partnerships (engaging stakeholders and citizens in the problem-solving process).
What is a problem that falls within POPS area of concern?
A problem is a series of repeat incidents occurring in a community. The incidents have related characteristics (behavior, location, people, time) that concern the community and fall within the mission and jurisdiction of the Washington State Patrol.
Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau:
Lieutenant Rob Sharpe
811 E Roanoke St - Seattle WA 98102
Phone: (206) 720-3018 - Fax: (206) 720-3246
Homeland Security Division
Lieutenant Troy Tomaras
1519 Alaskan Way S, Building 4 - Seattle WA 98134
Phone: (206) 389-2728 - Fax: (206) 389-2730
Human Resource Division
Lieutenant Jason Ashley
PO Box 42620 - Olympia WA 98504-2620
Phone: (360) 704-2301 - Fax: (360) 704-2297
Investigative Assistance Division:
Lieutenant Chris Sweet
PO Box 42347 - Olympia WA 98504-2347
Phone: (360) 704- 2422 - Fax: (360) 704-2973
Office of Professional Standards
Detective Sergeant Kelly Gregerson
PO Box 42637 - Olympia WA 98504-2611
Phone: (360) 704-2344 - Fax: (360) 704-2399
Risk Management
Ms. Tammy Usher
PO Box 42600 - Olympia WA 98504-2600
Phone: (360) 596-4143 - Fax: (360) 596-4152
Special Operations Division
Lieutenant Sam Ramirez
PO Box 426 - Olympia WA 98504-2615
Phone: (360) 596-3991 - Fax: (360) 704-2399
Training Division
Sergeant Kent Hitchings
631 West Dayton-Airport RD - Shelton, WA 98584-8945
Phone: (360) 432-7503 - Fax: (360) 432-7642
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