The Patrol Division operates 24/7 to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents. Patrol officers respond to both emergency and non-emergency calls for service, providing prompt assistance whenever and wherever it’s needed. To improve coverage and response times, the Village is divided into six patrol zones.
Every patrol team is supervised by a Patrol Sergeant, ensuring consistent leadership, accountability, and support. In addition to responding to calls, our officers are committed to building strong community relationships and partnering with residents to address concerns, solve problems, and enhance overall quality of life.

Contrary to the various crime-solving television shows, criminal investigations involve a lot of paperwork, follow-up, and pavement-pounding, and are not very exciting to the average person. However, being able to solve a crime IS very exciting to a detective; and becomes that “carrot dangling” motivation to continue the “drudge work.” Most cases start in Patrol, and based on level of complexity or time required, are assigned to Investigations. Therefore, Investigations and Patrol must constantly communicate and coordinate to ensure the highest level of solution possible. Investigations also works with Patrol on selective enforcement of identified criminal actions, such as construction theft. Sometimes where little preliminary evidence is available, they can dig deeper and determine cause or suspects that can lead to solving a case. The “critical thinkers” of a Department usually end up in Investigations. Detectives are trained beyond the basic Interview and Interrogation to obtain more details and evidence to piece together facts. Specialized areas also include juvenile investigations, cyber crime, identity fraud, and many other types of crimes not fully experienced by a street officer. The changes within the Village of Plainfield yield new situations, and become a constant learning experience to stay on top of crime-solving techniques and data collection for investigating particular types of cases; i.e., retail theft, financial crimes over the internet, or construction theft.

The Community Oriented Policing (COP) Unit focuses on identifying and addressing recurring quality-of-life concerns in our neighborhoods.  Whether the issue involves speeding, reckless driving, or ongoing neighbor disputes, COP officers work to understand the root cause and develop long-term solutions through consistent engagement rather than one-time responses. The unit uses a variety of tools, such as speed signs, a speed trailer, and community education to help improve safety and reduce repeat concerns.   

The Community Engagement Officer is also part of the COP Unit, partnering with local organizations including the library, senior living communities, the YMCA, and the Park District to build strong, positive relationships throughout the Village.

A CSO is a civilian position staffed by both full and part-time employees. A CSO’s primary responsibilities focus on enhancing all aspects of the Police Department by providing manpower where needed including: ensuring safety at all school crossings, parking enforcement, animal calls, and assisting with other various service related calls.

The School Resource Officer [SRO] Program is a school-based, community policing program comprised of specially trained officers and designed to create positive relationships between officers, students, staff, and parents. These officers are self-motivated individuals who have several years of police experience and have demonstrated the ability to effectively engage the public and work with youth.  

This program consists of six SROs (one assigned to each high school, one to Plainfield Academy, one to the Plainfield Middle Schools, and one to Murphy Jr. High and the private alternative schools. Along with the six SROs, the unit also has two DARE Officers assigned to the Village’s elementary schools.  The SROs and DARE officers assist the school administration with investigations of criminal activity and help to ensure a safe and secure learning environment. SROs and DARE Officers also provide classroom presentations for driver’s education programs, street law classes, government classes, health classes, and the DARE program. SROs and DARE Officers work with school personnel to conduct lockdown drills at all schools located within the Village limits.

All SROs and D.A.R.E. Officers receive their certification from the Illinois State Training and Standards Board, certifying them as School Resource Officers.  This certification is now required by state law for any officer working as an SRO in the schools.

SRO Supervisor – Detective Sergeant Colin Mulacek, (815) 439-7654

Plainfield Academy - Officer Abigail Olson
   
Plainfield High School Central Campus – Officer Rich Meszaros

Plainfield North High School – Officer Jeff Kaminski

Plainfield East High School – Officer Russ Pruchnicki

Middle School SRO – Officer Daniel Fadden

Murphy Jr. High SRO/Juvenile Detective - Officer Brian Wagner

DARE Officers  

Officer Erin Cook

Officer Marissa Schultz

 The Plainfield DARE program is a 20-week program to provide fifth grade students the tools to make proper decisions as they enter some of the most challenging years of adolescence. Plainfield’s DARE Program is taught by two full time DARE Officers. 

DARE uses a culturally grounded approach that acknowledges the importance of cultural differences and similarities in the effectiveness of communication strategies and norms surrounding substance use. The program focuses on bullying, cyber bullying, suicide prevention, domestic violence, the opioid epidemic, mass shooting awareness, and human trafficking. DARE teaches healthy decision-making skills through activities played with their peers that build muscle memory in how to respond in high peer-pressure situations. 

At the end of the school year, students put what they learned into practice with a school project and celebrate their accomplishments with a graduation party.  Each DARE graduate entering 6th-8th grade is invited to the DARE pool party every July.  The program is funded through by student fundraising efforts  which include prizes and a dance at the Police Department.

The Evidence Technician is an officer who is specially trained to collect, package, and process all types of evidence. Our police facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art evidence laboratory to assist the ET in performing his/her duties. In addition, the Evidence Technician acts as a liaison between the various crime laboratories.

The Bicycle Patrol Unit operates during the warm weather months. This unit provides a uniformed patrol officer to areas of our jurisdiction which would otherwise be inaccessible. The Bike Unit is responsible for patrolling pathways and park areas; they are additionally utilized during special events and festivals.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS), which is the mutual-aid component for law enforcement in Illinois, has created several state-wide response teams to respond to, and assist at any major emergency or disaster that may impact a community and their police force within the State. The teams are comprised of up to seventy (70) police officers formed into a Mobile Field Force Team. These teams can respond in a short period of time to any disturbance, protest, or request for assistance from an affected jurisdiction; and once deployed, provide a supplemental police presence until the emergency or situation has been brought under control. These teams would also be the primary responders to another State's request for assistance during a major event or disaster.

 Plainfield has taken the responsibility and the lead in operating a Mobile Field Force Team for this region of the state (Region 3-Central). The team members have been chosen from over twenty-five (25) police and fire departments from around the Will, Grundy, Kendall, DuPage, and LaSalle County area. The Team became certified in 2007 and has responded to numerous local, State, and National events and emergencies.

 

Members of the Plainfield Police Department belong to two different high-risk tactical teams, commonly referred to as “SWAT” teams. Plainfield Officers are members of the Joliet Police Department’s Special Operations Squad (SOS) and Will County SWAT .  Either one of these teams can respond high risk incidents within the Village of Plainfield. Some types of calls these teams will handle are:
Barricaded Subject
Armed Standoff
High Risk Arrest / Search Warrant
Hostage Situation
Dignitary Protection

In addition to having operators assigned to the above “SWAT” teams, Plainfield has an officer assigned to the Joliet Special Operations Negotiation Team. 

By having members of the Plainfield Police Department be a part of these two teams it provides the Village of Plainfield with additional resources to handle critical incidents that may arise.