Glendale police rotating officers to ensure most have street experience

PHOENIX — Some specialty police officers within the Glendale Police Department will soon be getting a new assignment: street patrol.

The first group was scheduled to hit the streets in August 2019. Spokesman Sgt. Scott Waite said the patrol rotation is not a reflection on how good an officer is – despite what some might think.

“I think we, as police, have gotten the mindset that it’s a demotion to go back to patrol,” he said. “It really isn’t. Patrol is our core function.”

Waite said Chief Rick St. John felt the department needs to get back to basics – in other words, interacting with the community it serves – and these rotations allow for that to happen.

All Sergeants, no matter what position, will be rotating. But certain officers, such as those in the bomb squad, may get more time in their rotation, as those skills take a while to develop and master. There’s also an existing agreement that promises officers in specialty assignments can stay there if they meet performance standards.

However, those specialty assignments will have more objective standards.

Going back to patrol also serves another purpose, Waite said.

“It’s an opportunity to hone your skills, learn new things, to really better yourself not only as a person but as an officer.”

St. John and his assistant chiefs will not be rotating back to patrol.

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