Animal Control is responsible for enforcing the Leash Law and targets community related animal control functions such as stray or unwanted animals, animals at large, cruelty/neglect, vicious animal and other nuisance animal related complaints.   (334) 615-4620

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SPECIAL OPERATIONS                                                                                  

Canine Unit - The Dothan Police Department's Canine Unit utilizes seven canines and handlers. Canine teams are on duty 24 hours a day and are available to respond to calls anywhere in the City. Canine teams are also available to respond to mutual aid requests from surrounding law enforcement agencies in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Six of the department's canines are trained for suspect apprehension, tracking, building searches and narcotics detection. A seventh canine is also trained in the area of bomb and explosives detection.

Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement - The CMV Enforcement Unit is a newly formed detail which concentrates on enforcing laws related to intrastate and interstate motor carriers. The unit consists of two sergeants and nine officers. The CMV Enforcement Unit also assists traffic accident investigators at accident scenes where commercial motor vehicles are involved.

Public Relations  - The Public Relations Sergeant is responsible for coordinating all community projects that the Dothan Police Department participates in. One very successful project has been the "Lock Out Crime" Day. This project involves police officers installing locks for elderly and disadvantaged residents in high crime and fringe neighborhoods.

School Crossing Guards provide security and traffic control at local public schools. The Police Department employs 21 part-time employees who serve as School Crossing Guards.

Special Event Security - The Special Operations Division coordinates security for all major events within the City. Some of these events are: The National Peanut Festival, Annual PGA Golf Tournaments, Downtown Festivals and Concerts.

Police Auxiliary is comprised of 30 trained volunteers who support the Police Department's operations by performing such duties as traffic and crowd control.  There is always a significant waiting list to join this popular program.

FLEET MANAGEMENT
The Fleet Management Sergeant is responsible for managing a fleet of nearly 200 police department vehicles. The Dothan Police Department operates under a one officer - one vehicle concept. Each officer has an assigned vehicle that they take home with them at the end of their shift. The average life span of a patrol vehicle is seven years.

PATROL  
The Patrol Division is responsible for the initial response for all calls for service and is staffed by 80-plus uniformed officers and supervisors. The Patrol Division is also responsible for traffic enforcement and motor vehicle crash investigations. This Division normally answers more than 100,000 calls annually.

TRAINING & RECRUITMENT