By Gary Dowd

It’s nothing like the television programs “Cops” or “America’s Most Wanted.”  It’s just another night patrolling the streets of Visalia.

While most of us are home watching “Late Night With Jimmy Kimmel” or nestled comfortably in our beds, the officers of the Visalia Police Department are watching out for our safety and security.

Obviously, law enforcement isn’t a 9-to-5 job. But I’d always wondered what it was like for the officers who were on duty through the wee hours. Couldn’t be coffee and donuts at 7-11 all night long.

To find out what a typical Friday night might be like, I took the opportunity to ride along with Officer Jason Tejeda. He has been a patrol officer with the VPD for three years now, is easy to talk to and obviously loves his job. Currently, Officer Tejeda works swing shift, meaning he’s on duty from 2:00 p.m. until midnight. Next month he’ll work “mids.” “The nice thing about working the midnight shift is that I’ll be able to spend weekends at home,” says Officer Tejeda. “My wife will be pretty happy about that.”

It takes a special person to handle the night shifts, no question. More violent crime happens at night and what you can’t see most definitely can hurt you. A police officer working nights has to be vigilant and prepared.

Figuring that most of the “excitement” starts after the sun goes down, Officer Tejeda picks me up around 7 p.m.

“Let’s see what’s going on tonight,” he says, showing me the computer screen mounted to the dash of his 2010 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. The display shows, in real time, all officers on duty, calls being answered, and calls pending.

7:47 p.m.

No sooner have we crossed over Mooney Boulevard than we get a call to assist another officer involved in chasing a suspect—a “leg bail” in police terminology. It’s a quick U-turn and we are speeding down Whitendale. Officer Tejeda’s handling of his cruiser is impressive. While there is a clear sense of urgency, it is never at the expense of safety. Using the lights and siren to clear an intersection, we are on the scene in a matter of minutes. We find the suspect is already in custody, but it is reassuring to see two other officers show up within minutes—and to note the professionalism and courtesy with which the officers treat the suspect.

Although the suspect is already in handcuffs and being led to a waiting squad car, the other officers carefully look though his belongings. Opening a small metal cylinder and an empty, clear plastic bag, they look at each other knowingly. “They’re empty now, but I bet he had something (drugs) in there,” says Officer Tejeda.

8:09 p.m.

With that call cleared and nothing new on the screen, Officer Tejeda begins his regular patrol, cruising neighborhoods: not just those known for criminal activity, but the quiet neighborhoods as well.

“It’s important for people to see us, know we’re there.” says Officer Tejeda. “It’s also a proactive approach (to law enforcement).”

Like most modern police departments, Visalia wants to not only help residents understand how their police department operates, but also to help them feel a part of the crime-fighting team. It’s all part of a strategy to gain the trust of the community, which in turn helps reduce crime.

8:15 p.m.

We get a call to check on the arrest of a suspected shoplifter at a store across town. “We have a female in custody for shoplifting,” he tells me. “Dispatch has already let me know she has no warrants or probation hits and we’ll do our investigation when we get there. If it’s premeditated, I can get her on a felony burglary charge and then we’ll book her down at Bob Wiley (Tulare County detention facility).”

It turns out that the amount shoplifted was relatively small. The woman is extremely distraught and frightened. But, after first reading the woman her rights, Officer Tejeda’s calm demeanor and patience help keep everything under control. Depending on the circumstances, officers can exercise the option of arresting a shoplifting suspect or assigning a court appearance. After collecting her information and conducting a brief interview, Officer Tejeda releases the woman with a promise to appear and a court date.

8:45 p.m.

We head downtown to police headquarters to visit central dispatch. This is the command post where all 911 and emergency calls for both police and fire come in and are routed. It’s calm tonight, the dispatchers working with a quiet efficiency.

“There’s just no way of predicting it,” says Sergeant Brent Abbott, who is also at dispatch tonight. “You never know if it’s going to be a quiet night or a wild one. It does seem though that the warmer the weather is, the crazier it gets.”

Everyone seems relieved it’s one of the quiet nights—so far.

9:15 p.m.

More patrols, this time in areas better known for gang problems and other criminal activity. We zigzag down back alleys, searchlights on, riding slowly. Officer Tejeda is alert, looking for anything unusual or out of place.

A quick search of an abandoned house—a place often used by transients—and then it’s off to the substation to check in with the duty sergeant. En route, we pass a car with only one headlight. Officer Tejeda decides to pull the car over.

“Mostly, I wanted to check the car out, see what might be inside,” he explains. “You never know.” After running the license and registration and seeing them come back “clean,” he lets the driver off with a warning to get the headlight fixed.

10 p.m.

After a brief stop at the substation, it’s back on the streets. “It’s Friday and typically on Friday nights, we’re going to the party calls, fight calls, disturbances at the bars,” says Officer Tejeda.

“Right now it’s unusual—we have zero calls pending. Of course, when we say that it kinda jinxes us,” he says with a laugh. “But yeah, for a Friday night it’s unusual. But that gives us time to be proactive and be a deterrent. If we see anything unusual…” he shrugs. “We’ll see what happens.”

10:53 p.m.

A few more neighborhood sweeps, then it’s time to head in for the night to finish the shift and complete the inevitable paperwork. We’re back at the station at 11:45 p.m. Every incident—and I mean every contact and answered call—has a separate form to fill out to get signed off and filed. If an officer pulls a Tazer or firearm, whether they’re used or not, it means more reports, more paperwork. Finally, with everything signed off, the duty sergeant dismisses everyone at midnight.

But not to worry: Another team of officers is already taking their place out on the streets.

I admit I’m just a little disappointed that it was such a calm night. No high-speed chases, no SWAT teams, no drama. Not this night anyway. I have no doubt that the officers of the VPD are ready to handle anything that comes up. But I’d like to think that it was a quiet night because our PD is out there doing a great job each day.

What impressed me most was the obvious training and professionalism shown at all times by the officers I met that evening. And even though most Visalians aren’t aware of what goes on behind the scenes, I’ll be sleeping better knowing that we have a great team of men and women watching over us each night.

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