OPERATIONS
Support Services:

Patrol: The Patrol Division is the largest section of the police department. It is currently comprised of eighteen officers, divided into three shifts. The officers typically work 9 hour shifts, to provide 24 hour coverage for the community. The Patrol Division is led by the Operations Captain, Dave Ruffin Each individual shift is supervised by a Patrol Sergeant and a Corporal. The Patrol Division is responsible for handling a variety of calls for service, and enforcing the state and municipal criminal and traffic laws. Each shift has one officer designated as a traffic specialist. These persons still have the responsibility to respond to calls for service, however their emphysis is primarily on traffic enforcement.

Investigations: The Moses Lake Police Department has four personnel assigned to the Investigative unit. This unit is comprised of three detectives and a supervisor. The unit is supervised by Sergeant Dave Sands. These personnel are responsible for the investigation of major crimes, and to provide support to the patrol division. All of these officers have received specialized training and are experienced in the area of criminal investigations. The detectives typically work five 8 hour work days, however are available for call outs if the need arises.

One of the detectives is assigned to the Inter-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team. This detective is teamed with other officers from local jurisdictions. His primary function is the enforcement of narcotics related crimes to include, possession, distribution, and manufacturing. The Grant County Sheriff's Department is the parent agency for INET. Anyone with information about illegal narcotics is encouraged to contact a detective from this unit at (509) 754-2011

School Resource Officers: The Moses Lake Police Department has formed a partnership with the Moses Lake School District and currently has two officers assigned to the school resource officer program. Officer Ray Lopez is assigned to the Moses Lake High School. He has an office on campus, and works closely with the school's administration and the high school security staff to provide a safe environment for students. Officer Lopez is responsible for the security of students, the enforcement of criminal laws, and the investigation of crimes that occur on school grounds.

Officer Tom Tufte is assigned to the Middle Schools. He currently shares his time between Frontier and Chief Moses Middle Schools. Officer Tufte has an office at the Boys's and Girl's Club on 3rd Avenue, in Moses Lake.
Both of the School Resource Officers also make themselves available to the other elementary schools in Moses Lake.

Tactical Response Team: The Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team (MLRTRT) was formed in 2000 to meet the special policing needs of the community. It began as an entry team of 5 personnel, and now currently consists of 16 officers from the Moses Lake Police Department, Grant County Sheriff's Department, Adams County Sheriff's Department, Moses Lake Fire Department, and the Grand Coulee Police Department. The Moses Lake Police Department is the parent agency for the response team. The team is led by the Team Commander, Captain Dave Ruffin, and two team leaders, Sergeant Mike Williams, and Deputy Mike Crowder. New members are appointed to the team, based on available openings, and only after completing a competitive examination consisting of physical fitness, firearms, and an oral board.

The tactical response team is comprised of entry and perimeter personnel, marksmen observer teams, and a tactical medic. The team is supported by a six person separate crisis negotiations team. The negotiators are responsible for providing a non-lethal approach to resolving a volatile situation. The majority of the tactical operators train a minimum of 12 hours a month while the marksman observers train 16 hours a month. The team is trained in special weapons, equipment and tactics.

The tactical response team responds to approximately 10-15 critical incidents per year in Grant and Adams County. Those critical incidents include Hostage Situations, Barricaded Suspects, High Risk Arrest Warrants, High Risk Search Warrants, Personnel Protection, and Speciality Assignments.

By working and training together the Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team has developed an experienced, dedicated group of officers who are capable of providing the response and services need to keep our communities safe.

Honor Guard: In 2000, the Moses Lake Police Department formed an Honor Guard unit. The primary function of this unit is to reporesent the department at official functions, and specifically at funerals to honor those officers that are killed in the line of duty. The Honor Guard team has seven full time officers assigned.

Central Basin Traffic Safety Task Force: The Moses Lake Police Department is the hosting agency for the Central Basin Traffic Safety Task Force, having a coordinator and supervisor assigned to oversee the operation and administrative duties required for the program.

The traffic task force was formed in 2000, to augment traffic enforcement efforts throughout Grant and Adams Counties. This is accomplished through enforcement emphasis in those areas deemed problematic. The task force has expanded its role within the communities it serves, by providing education to young drivers. This is facilitated through various partnerships with not only the member agencies, but other entities such as Trauma Nurses Talk Tough, and The Samaritan Hospital Foundation.