Since the mid-1980's, the Palm Desert Police Department has operated the T-400 TARGET TEAM, as an adjunct to the Patrol Division. The team consists of one sergeant, three deputies, a dedicated gang supression officer, and a dedicated community oriented policing officer. The primary function of the Target Team is to provide enhanced patrol services to residents of the City of Palm Desert. The Target Team conducts the time intensive follow-up investigations of burglaries, thefts, and various other localized crimes, in order to keep the patrol officers in the field and available for further calls for service.

The Target Team also conducts specifically targeted enforcement programs to combat identified problems within the city. The Target Team is also responsible for specialized enforcement and security at Palm Desert civic and community events, as well as bicycle patrol within the City of Palm Desert. The bicycle patrol provides an effective tool to enhance the community oriented policing concept supported by the City of Palm Desert and the Palm Desert Police Department. While working on bicycle patrol, the Target Team officers have close, direct contact with the citizens, business owners, and visitors in the city. The bicycle patrol also allows for better mobility and quicker response in business and commercial areas when traffic is heavier.

The community oriented policing officer is assigned to the Target Team as a liaison to the specific beat officers, neighborhood watch groups, and the various businesses and apartment complexes within the city (see the Crime Prevention page for more details.)

The gang supression officer maintains records and information pertaining to gang activity in the City of Palm Desert and surrounding areas. The gang supression officer also acts as a liason to the Coachella Valley Gang Task Force .

Each beat within the City of Palm Desert is covered by a specific Target Team member, who can devote the additional time necessary to the problems that occur in that beat. If you have a specific problem in your area, please contact the Target Team member responsible for the area where you live/work. Along with the crime prevention officer and other team members, your Target Team deputy can help eliminate specific problems and/or criminal activity.

Click here to see the City of Palm Desert Police Department beats and individual Target Team member responsible for that beat.