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The Hilliard Division of Police is committed to maintaining a safe environment for those who live, work, visit and play in Hilliard. Hilliard’s community policing efforts include traditional vehicle law enforcement, selective traffic problem-area enforcement, bicycle patrol, school resource and D.A.R.E. officers, and use of a speed monitor trailer.

Bicycle Patrol Unit

The Hilliard Police Bicycle Patrol Unit was founded in the spring of 1995 with one officer and one bicycle for a period of evaluation for efficiency. The community’s response to the pilot program was positive and in the fall of 1995 the city committed to the unit’s expansion.

The current unit is comprised of six team members and six bicycles. Patrol officers who have received specialized training in bike patrol operations serve the unit. The Bike Patrol Unit augments the normal patrol functions year round, providing an excellent alternative patrol source.

The bike officers can easily patrol areas within the city which prior to the unit’s inception were virtually inaccessible. The vast Municipal Park, with numerous walking paths are now routinely visited by police. The Rails to Trails walking and bike route also frequently see patrol. In addition to areas restrictive to automobile patrol, the bike unit routinely patrols neighborhoods and shopping areas in a highly visible manner. The bike unit is also utilized in numerous special events throughout the year where high concentrations of pedestrians make automobile patrol impossible.

The officers of the bike unit conduct a large number of public appearances each year at schools, homeowners association gatherings and children’s bike safety rodeos, promoting the division and its commitment to proactive law enforcement. The members of the bike patrol competitively participate in several events annually with bike units from other police agencies and ride in several charity events.

The Police Department encourages community residents to register their bicycles with the Division of Police. Should a bicycle be lost or stolen, the police then have a means to identify the owner of the bicycle and return the bicycle once it is recovered.

Registration is done in person at the Hilliard Police Department and is free of charge to Hilliard school district residents. Residents should present a complete description of the bicycle including the make, model, serial number, tire size, colors, any special markings or equipment, and whether it is a boy or girl’s bike. The registration form also requests the owner’s name, birthday, address and telephone number. A registration sticker will be issued for each bicycle registered.

An officer can attend community events and register bicycles. Call the Community Relations Officer at 876-7361, ext. 592 for more information.

The Community Relations Officer is a specially trained officer who helps facilitate and coordinate the various city departments, community and policing efforts in crime prevention, problem solving and community oriented policing. The Community Relations Officer facilitates many of the already established programs or can assist you in meeting a variety of your special needs and requests. Whether it is a request for statistical information, crime prevention articles, speaker services or establishing a Community Watch in your area, call the Community Relations Officer at 876-7361, ext. 592 for additional information.

Community Watch is a cooperative program between the Division of Police, neighborhoods and the business community. Community members learn how to make their homes and businesses more secure, watch out for each other and their community, and report activities to the police that raise suspicions. This program forges a bond among the community, helps to reduce a variety of different crimes and improves relations between the police and our community. Call the Community Relations Officer at 876-7361, ext. 592 if you would be interested in starting or joining a Community Watch in your area.

Drug Awareness Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) is an educational drug prevention program presented by uniformed police officers. D.A.R.E. provides interaction with students mainly at the fifth and seventh grade levels and teaches students the skills necessary to resist alcohol, nicotine and other drug experimentation. For more information, click on our D.A.R.E. site or call a D.A.R.E. officer at 876-7361, ext. 550 or 551.

Exploring is part of the Learning for Life career education program for young men and women who are at least 14 years of age, but are not yet 21. Exploring educates and involves youth in basic police procedures, prepares youth for future roles as citizens, and provides practical experience for those considering possible law enforcement careers. The Explorer may ride along with a police officer and may help with traffic control, communications support, administration of first aid, and may assist in crime scene security or crowd control. For more information, call the Explorer Advisor at 876-7321.

Beginning in early 2006, the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) required that all requests for Ohio civilian background checks be submitted electronically through use of WebCheck or other approved methods. Based on the information provided by BCI, effective August 1, 2006, the Hilliard Police Department will no longer provide ink rolled fingerprinting services.

There are more than 450 WebCheck locations now available to persons seeking employment-related background checks. These locations are listed on the Attorney General’s web site, http://webcheck.ag.state.oh.us/webcheckcommunity.htm

Local WebCheck services are provided. To schedule an appointment to have your fingerprints taken, contact:

RefCheck Information Services
            3962 Brown Park Drive, Suite I, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
            Phone: 614-777-8844
            Hours of business: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The Division of Police offers free security surveys to area residents and businesses. A specially trained officer will walk through your home or business and offer tips on how to better secure your premises. In addition, you will be given a checklist of items to assist you in your effort to make your premises safe and secure. You will also receive other informative crime prevention literature. Call the Community Relations Officer at 876-7361, ext. 592 to schedule a survey.

The Division of Police offers an internship program for those individuals who are attending college with a focus towards Law Enforcement. This program provides an opportunity for a variety of experiences to supplement an individual’s academic endeavors. Call the Community Relations Officer at 876-7361, ext. 592 for additional information.

In existence since 1990, Safety Town is a five day summer program where children learn basic rules of pedestrian and traffic safety, fire prevention, school bus safety, poison/substance avoidance, animal safety, water safety and personal safety. Approximately 240 preschool children learn to make wise decisions in potentially dangerous situations and learn to respond in emergency situations. Students learn pedestrian safety by tricycling about a miniature village, complete with streets, sidewalks, buildings, stop signs, and a working traffic signal.

Safety Town is a cooperative effort between the Hilliard Police Department, Norwich Township Fire Department, and Hilliard Recreation and Parks Department. Certified teachers instruct the children in a classroom setting, while police officers and fire fighters teach their respective areas of expertise.

Safety Town is held in June at a local elementary school and has both morning and afternoon sessions. Children who are 5 and 6 years of age prior to the first day of class are eligible to attend Safety Town. Watch our local papers for Safety Town registration dates and times. You can also register your child on-line through the Hilliard Recreation and Parks Department.

One School Resource Officer serves at each of our district’s high schools. The goal for each officer is to help provide a safe learning environment and to foster a positive relationship between students, teachers, administrators and the police.

The Hilliard Division of Police offers complimentary speakers on a variety of law enforcement topics including personal safety, home security, bike safety, drugs, gangs, gun safety, travel security, seat belt safety, and railroad safety. The division can also provide relevant articles on crime prevention or other law enforcement matters to you or your organization. Call our Community Relations Officer at 876-7361, ext. 592 to schedule a speaker.

The speed monitor trailer is designed to make motorists aware of their speed and the legal speed in the area. The trailer is moved to a variety of locations throughout the city on roadways with steady traffic volumes.

Department tours are available for school and community groups. Call our Community Relations Officer at 876-7361, extension 592, to schedule a tour.

Inform the Division of Police when you will be away from your home for more than three days. House checks can be requested in person at the Hilliard Police Department and is free of charge to all City of Hilliard residents. The application will request the following information:

Your address, last name, and telephone number
The starting and ending dates of your absence from home
The name of the company monitoring your security alarm, if one is installed in the home
Which lights will be left on, which lights are on timers, and where the timers are located in the residence
Whether or not you will leave televisions or radios playing inside your home
Names of any persons you have authorized to be on the premises
Any vehicle that will be left on the premises

Stop the delivery of newspapers and mail while you are away and ask someone to collect those items which continue to be delivered to your doorstep. You may also want to inform a trusted neighbor of your intended absence. Individuals should come to the Hilliard Police Department to complete the vacation house check form.