Community Police Teams (CPT)

ABOUT THE CPT PROGRAM

In the mid-1980’s the Seattle Police Department started a new and innovative practice of assigning patrol officers to work directly with community members on entrenched, on-going crime problems that were continuing despite earlier attempts to resolve them. These officers, dubbed Community Police Team (CPT) Officers were freed from responding to non-emergency 9-1-1 calls and were tasked with working directly with community members to ensure that these persistent problems were addressed.

When first implemented, the idea was seen as revolutionary, but over the course of 20+ years, the CPT concept has been adopted by many departments across the country and is seen as a best practice in law enforcement. CPT is still part of the fabric of the Seattle Police Department and remains today much like it was when it was implemented.

Each precinct has a designated CPT unit that works with a variety of community groups on problems that range from homeless encampments, to neighborhood disputes. CPT successes have been many and their commitment to community safety is as strong as ever.

HOW DOES THE CPT PROGRAM WORK?

While patrol officers assigned to a certain beat and sector are usually very familiar with the area they patrol, CPT officers go one step further. CPT officers are assigned to a specific area to focus on long-term, often chronic problems. They patrol many times a day, checking and re-checking known “hot spots”.

It is the job of CPT officers to know the residents in troubled apartments, to recognize by sight the “regulars” who congregate on the corner, and to understand the ongoing problems and concerns of neighbors and businesses. Residents and business owners get to know and trust the officers, making it easier to work together to resolve and prevent problems. CPT is about understanding ongoing issues that go back weeks and months and taking steps to prevent problems before they arise. The officers are a unique and invaluable resource in the communities they serve.

CPT Officers can also be used for emphasis patrols, such as Southwest CPT Officers being used to patrol Alki Beach during the summer months.