Official website of the
City of Vancouver, Washington

Police Department

Department Information - Frequently Asked Questions

About the Vancouver Police Department

Q: How many officers and other resources do you have in the Department?

A: As of December 2007 The Vancouver Police Department employed 207 sworn staff, including command staff, and 39 civilian staff. The annual budget for 2007 was $30,339,000. The Vancouver Police Department serves nearly 160 000 citizens in the City of Vancouver out of 2 precincts, West and East.

Staffing shortages continue to be concerning with staffing for VPD below the national average. The national average of Officers per 1000 citizens is 1.8, the Vancouver Police Department is currently at 1.2 Officers per 1000 citizens.

Q: What is a growing crime problem in Vancouver?

A: Crimes related to Methamphetamine has drastically impacted the numbers of reported property crimes such as theft, identity theft, fraud, burglaries, vandalism and metal theft  as well as more serious crimes such as assault and homicide. Also of concern are the increasing gang-related incidents. Without a gang task force the problem is growing without the resources to manage it. Prevention, Intervention and Enforcement are the best strategies for controlling gang crimes in a community. Currently the Vancouver Police Department only has one Detective specifically assigned to gang crimes. That Detective is assigned to the Metro Gang Task Force. 

Q: What is the Department's strategy for improving public safety?

A: Community Policing involves partnerships between police, citizens, businesses, government and private industry working together to identify and solve problems. There are a number of ways citizens can get involved in the solutions. One is by contacting your Neighborhood Police Officer (see either the West or East  precinct pages for more information) and getting involved in the Vancouver Police Department Neighbors on Watch NOW program. You can also visit the Community Policing page for more information.

Q: What is the Department doing about traffic safety?

A: Once again, community involvement is part of the solution. The Vancouver Police Department has a Traffic Complaint Hotline, (360) 619-4101, where citizens can leave a detailed message regarding the nature of the problem, time and location, name and phone number. (This is an important piece of the problem-solving effort so that an officer can follow up with the reporting party).

The Vancouver Police Department is directly involved in both the Fourth Plain Traffic Safety Corridor Project and the Mill Plain Traffic Safety Corridor Project in addition to other traffic safety enforcement efforts. As part of effective Community Policing, the VPD traffic unit also works with traffic engineering to identify problem areas and to implement a range of tactics including prevention, engineering solutions and good old-fashioned enforcement.

Q: How can I help?

A: Here are some ways to get involved in improving your community.

• Call 911 if you see a crime or problem that needs police attention. Don't hesitate!
• Get to know your neighbor and your Neighborhood Police Officer (NPO)
• Get involved by becoming a Neighbors On Watch volunteer!
• Take responsibility for keeping your own residence and business safe.(Check out our Crime Prevention page)
• Take a moment to give us feedback on how we are doing by answering our Report Card Survey.
• Enter a career in law enforcement (visit our Careers page for more information)