Police Department

The Police Department of the Incorporated Village of East Hampton constitutes an organization whose very existence is justified solely on the basis of community service. Although departmental regulations provide a working guideline, our official activity must not be confined within the limited scope described by them. Actually, that portion of police service dealing with criminal activity is only a small part of our overall responsibility. The greater percentage of our time and energy is expended on non-criminal service functions and in dealing with law-abiding citizens of the community. We should consider it our duty and privilege, not only to protect and serve our citizens, but also to defend the rights guaranteed under our structure of government. Matters of civil law are not a basic police responsibility and within reasonable limits, we should attempt to avoid becoming entangled in them. However, many situations can best be served only when we assist in such matters. Our broad philosophy must embrace a wholehearted determination to protect and support individual rights while at all times providing for the security of persons and property in the community. In meeting this objective, it is our duty to operate as a public service organization.

Mission

To serve and protect all persons and property within the Incorporated Village of East Hampton. The responsibilities associated with this mission are numerous. They include enforcement of Federal Law, State Law and Village Ordinances; safeguarding life and property of residents and visitors; maintaining peace and order; and generally assisting citizens in their urgent and emergency needs; and to respect the Constitutional Rights of all people to liberty, equality and justice. Members in acknowledging their sworn oath, have made these responsibilities their own and are expected to carry out their duties in a diligent, courteous and professional manner.

Accreditation

The East Hampton Village Police Department is a law enforcement agency accredited by the NYS Department of Criminal Justice. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­This accreditation is voluntary and improves an agency’s effectiveness, efficiency, and professionalism; promotes training; and fosters public confidence in law enforcement. The Village Police Department remains committed to this high standard of professionalism and training amongst its officers. The Department is proud to protect all residents and visitors through effective and efficient operations and policies.

Headquarters

The Police Department Headquarters is located at the Emergency Services Building at One Cedar Street. The building houses a modern fully equipped police facility, including administrative offices, emergency communications center, offices and support facilities for police officers and detectives, as well as facilities for booking, temporary detention, and evidence storage. The building currently houses 40 Police, Dispatch and EMT personnel.

Services

The East Hampton Village Police Department is a full-service police department. It provides a full range of law enforcement services to the Village of East Hampton, including:

• Patrols
• Investigative Support
• Law Enforcement Programs
• Community Outreach Programs
• Emergency Services Unit (ESU)

The Chief of Police, assisted by the Executive Officer, oversees the activities of the Police Department and coordinates Public Safety on behalf of the Mayor and the Board of Trustees. Department functions are organized into three divisions: the Patrol Division, the Detective Division, and the Emergency Communications Division.

Patrol Areas

The Village is divided into a number of police patrol areas. Each area is patrolled on a continuous basis. During each of three daily shifts, a sergeant and two police officers are on duty patrolling the village. The Department currently has a fleet of 20 vehicles, including ten patrol units, two detectives' cars, two admin, two four-wheel drive vehicles, two motorcycles, three all-terrain vehicles and a mobile command unit. The current response time within the Village is fewer than three minutes.

Personnel 

The Police Department currently has 27 full-time permanent personnel, including police officers, detectives, and administrative staff.

During the summer season, the number of personnel expands to include a number of temporary seasonal police officers (SPOs) and temporary traffic control officers (TCOs).

SPOs are fully trained police academy graduates who provide foot patrols in the commercial core and maintain peace in the evening hours and at night. The TCOs direct traffic in the commercial core and enforce parking regulations.