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Special Units
The Hurricane City Police Department (HCPD) Bike patrol has proven to be a very effective law enforcement tool. There are currently 6 Officers that work as part of the bike patrol unit as part of their patrol duties. Members of the HCPD Bike patrol are utilized during events such as Peach Days and the Washington County Fair, during parades and also for localized patrols when the need arises. They are involved in doing Bike Safety Rodeos for local schools and the community. They are able to respond quickly to calls for service in a crowded environment. The bikes have E- assist motors and are equipped with emergency lights. Bikes for the Bike Patrol were originally purchased with donations from the Lions Club and the Rotary Club.
In April 2014, The Hurricane City Police Department started its K9 Program and in September of 2018, we added one of our current K9 teams, Riko a Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix, and Officer Eric Demille. They are certified in Patrol and Narcotics work.
The K9 Program has proven to be a great tool in the detection and apprehension of Narcotics helping to keep drugs out of our community.
The K9 Program takes a dedicated officer due to the ongoing training required (eight hours a week) and annual recertification. The K9 Program also requires ongoing funding in order to have the necessary equipment to effectively operate. The Hurricane City Police Department appreciates the many generous donors that have invested or supported the K9 program over the last year. These donors include Bone Appetite, Desert Vet, Because Animals Matter (B.A.M), Schweikert K9 Inc., We Ride to Provide, Tractor Supply, Scholtzen Products, Gem Distributing, Georges Concrete Pumping, and Hurricane City Streets Department. If you are interested in donating to the Hurricane City Police K9 Program please contact our office.
SHOP WITH A COP EVENTS
Christmas Shop with a Cop
Each year First Responders from around Washington County team up to help underprivileged children in the area have a little brighter Christmas. Children ages 5 and up are selected for participation through the KONY Coins for Kids program. Officers from nearly every law enforcement and public safety agency in Washington County have volunteered to pair up with a child for the annual before-Christmas shopping event. Each child receives $200 to spend on gifts.
Officers enjoy a fun-filled morning generally in early to mid December. They meet up at the Hurricane High School for a brief breakfast while getting acquainted with the Officer they will be hanging out with the rest of the morning. From there they get to hop into a patrol car/truck and see all the cool things inside. Most kids love the chance that Officers give them to use the lights and siren. Hurricane Officers then file out in a massive line of lit up patrol cars onto State Street and over to Wal-Mart for the shopping to commence. While at Wal-Mart in addition to shopping an especially jolly visitor wearing a bright red suit will make a visit and take pictures with the Kids and their new Cop friends.
Officers then stroll the aisles of the store with the kids to find gifts and toys of the child's choosing. It is such a wonderful event that the kids and Officers alike have so many positive experiences. It is an opportunity for the kids to get to know Officers in a different light and for the Officers to make some new young friends.
Officers from the Hurricane Police Department assist approximately 50 children each year from Hurricane and other outlying cities. Donations come from Hurricane City, Hurricane Wal-Mart, Wal-Mart Distribution 6029, along with many many donations from private citizens and businesses in our community! We can not thank these businesses and citizens enough for their support of this program.
Among the agencies assisting children during the Shop with a Cop event are:
- Adult Probation and Parole
- Bureau of Land Management
- Federal Bureau of Investigations
- Hurricane Fire Department
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- St George Communications Center
- U.S. Federal Marshall's Office
- U.S. Forest Service
- Utah Highway Patrol
- Utah State Parks
- Washington County Sheriff's Office
- Zion National Park
- Hurricane Police Department
Back to School Shop with a Cop
Starting in 2019 Hurricane City Police Department began using some of our Shop with a Cop donations to get kids off to a fresh start for the upcoming school year. The elementary schools within Hurricane City boundaries submit names of students in need. We then take the approximately 30 kids each year to get new school clothes, shoes and backpacks. We have worked with Kohl's who open their doors early for the Officers and kids to have the store to themselves to get the shopping done.
This has been a very successful event so far in the first couple years and we look forward to it being a tradition that will continue for years to come!
Participating Departments have included:
- Hurricane City Police Department
- Hurricane Valley Fire Department
- Utah State Parks
- St George Communications Center
The Hurricane Police Department organized a color guard program in 2009. It consists of five full-time members of the Hurricane City Police Department. The color guard has presented the colors at Hurricane City council meetings, American Legion, Hurricane Valley Chamber of Commerce, re-grand opening of the Hurricane Lin's Market, and the grand opening of the Hurricane Wal-Mart. If you would like to have the Hurricane City Police Department color guard present the colors for any special event in Hurricane, please make your request to the Hurricane City Police Department at 435-635-9663.