In addition to their regular full-time duties, a significant number of Officers have been trained to serve in specialized capacities on an as-needed basis:

 

• The largest part-time unit in the Department is the Tactical Intervention Unit (TIU). The mission of the Skokie Police Department TIU is to rapidly respond with highly-trained and specially-equipped personnel to incidents such as hostage situations and barricaded subjects, to execute high-risk warrants and to provide VIP protection. The TIU is organized into an Entry Team, Containment Team, Hostage Negotiation Team and a Command Team.

• • The TIU consists of Department members who have volunteered to serve on the Unit and have survived a rigorous selection process. In order to maintain a high state of readiness and proficiency, team members must also pass an annual fitness test, attend monthly training and preparedness exercises, equipment inspections, weapons qualifications, use-of-force training utilizing both simunitions and live-fire drills, and practice callups. During 2016, training included extensive firearms training and scenario-based exercises utilizing role players. The team also participated in field training exercises hosted by the Illinois Tactical Officers Association, and attended formal training at the FBI SWAT School and other events.

 

• An additional 11 Police Officers served last year as members of the Bicycle Patrol Unit. The Bicycle Patrol Unit functions as an overtime-only assignment in order to supplement normal staffing levels. Members of the Unit are generally assigned to patrol the parks, shopping centers, school grounds, and other areas best suited for non-motorized patrol. Among the Unit’s primary objectives is to engage in positive interaction with citizens, and especially with youth of the community. Consistent with this fundamental goal, the Bicycle Patrol Unit participates annually in the Village’s BackLot Bash, National Night Out, Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks Display, the Skokie Bicycle Rodeo Day, Festival of Cultures, block parties and other community functions. The Bicycle Patrol Unit also participated in the Many Cultures, One Community – Keeping Skokie Safe public safety campaign during 2016, and remained a key component of the Department-wide effort to reduce the fear of crime and victimization within parks and other areas where groups of unsupervised youth tend to congregate.

 

• The Skokie Police Department’s Evidence Technician (ET) Program is considered one of the finest programs in Northern Illinois. In order to provide coverage 24 hours per day, Evidence Technicians trained in crime and crash scene processing are assigned to each of the three Patrol Watches. The Unit collectively received 728 hours of training and conducted 597 follow-up investigations during 2016.

 

• The Honor Guard is another part-time Field Operations Unit in which Department members participate. The Skokie Police Department Honor Guard serves as the "guardians of the colors" by displaying and escorting the national flag, the Illinois state flag and the Village of Skokie flag on ceremonial occasions. The Honor Guard represents the Police Department at dedications, inaugurations, funeral services, memorial services and award ceremonies, and has served in conjunction with the Skokie Fire Department Honor Guard at the swearing in of new Police Officers and Firefighters. It is comprised of both male and female Officers who generously volunteer their time and devote many hours training to perfect their performance.