The Murphysboro Police Department prides itself on its proactive approach to keeping Murphysboro safe and secure for residents and visitors. The department's dedication to safety focuses, not just on criminal arrests, but working with community members and other area law enforcement agencies to prevent crime before it happens.
While our police department may seem small, we handle a large number of tasks, averaging about 10,000 cases each year. With seventeen full-time and six part-time sworn officers, there is a minimum of two officers on the street at any one time. The Chief and Deputy Chief deal with the administration and daily operation of the department, while four shift supervisors and eight patrol officers cover shifts and daily calls. One Detective is currently assigned to investigations, as well as the Project Safe Neighborhoods Drug Task Force, an initiative, between the US Attorney, DEA, ATF, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Jackson County States Attorney, and other area law enforcement agencies that handle major drug cases in the area and build cases for prosecution in federal court.
Future plans include assigning a second investigator. Six part-time officers cover open shifts and vacancies. The department also maintains one full-time animal control officer and six full-time 911 telecommunicators.
Community-Oriented Policing
A comprehensive plan for community-oriented policing is currently in development. Community-oriented policing is a process that involves officers being assigned to various neighborhoods to act as a liaison to residents in those neighborhoods. Officers will work with the neighbors on problems ranging from complaints about trash to concerns about crimes in that neighborhood.
The Chief has an open door policy and will sit down with citizens anytime they may have a concern. All staff is willing to make time to assist citizens with the problems they may have. Visibility of police is essential because police presence is the first deterrent to crime, that is why all police units are clearly marked and easy to identify.
Cooperation between the Murphysboro Police Department and other area law enforcement agencies is a must in these days. A great daily working relationship with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office makes dealing with crimes in the area flow with ease with the combined resources of both departments.
We are the Murphysboro Police Department and we are here for the citizens of Murphysboro. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the chief via email (
[email protected]) and at 618.684.5244. If you would like someone from the department to speak to your school or civic group, please let us know.
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