Jackson Police Department

The Jackson Police Department is dedicated to providing professional law enforcement services that keep our community safe while respecting individual rights and dignity. Our officers work daily to prevent crime, respond to emergencies, investigate offenses, enforce laws fairly, and build positive relationships with the residents and businesses they serve.

Community Policing Philosophy

The Jackson Police Department embraces community policing principles that emphasize partnership, problem-solving, and prevention. Rather than simply responding to incidents after they occur, community policing engages officers proactively with residents to identify and address issues before they escalate into serious problems.

Community policing involves:

• Regular interaction between officers and community members
• Collaborative problem-solving with residents and businesses
• Crime prevention through environmental design and education
• Building trust through transparency and accountability
• Addressing quality-of-life issues that affect neighborhood livability
• Partnering with other agencies and organizations

Officers patrol neighborhoods, attend community meetings, visit schools, and participate in community events to maintain visible presence and accessible relationships. This approach recognizes that public safety is a shared responsibility requiring cooperation between law enforcement and the community.

Services and Operations

Emergency Response

The Police Department provides 24/7 emergency response to crimes in progress, accidents, medical emergencies, and other urgent situations. Dispatchers receive 911 calls and coordinate response by police, fire/EMS, and other emergency services. Officers are trained in emergency medical response and often arrive first at medical emergencies to provide aid until ambulances arrive.

For emergencies requiring immediate police, fire, or medical response, always dial 911. For non-emergency police matters, contact the department directly.

Patrol Services

Patrol officers are the most visible component of the Police Department, working around the clock to provide security, respond to calls, conduct traffic enforcement, and deter criminal activity through presence. Patrol duties include:

• Responding to calls for service
• Proactive patrol of residential and commercial areas
• Traffic enforcement and accident investigation
• Criminal investigations (preliminary)
• Citizen assistance and problem-solving
• Report writing and documentation
• Warrant service
• Security checks of businesses and facilities

Officers work 12-hour shifts to provide continuous coverage. They respond to several thousand calls for service annually, ranging from serious crimes to minor disturbances and citizen assistance requests.

Criminal Investigations

Detectives investigate serious crimes including assaults, burglaries, thefts, fraud, cybercrime, and other offenses requiring detailed follow-up investigation beyond patrol officers' initial response. Investigative work includes interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, coordinating forensic analysis, preparing cases for prosecution, and testifying in court.

The department works closely with the Teton County Prosecutor's Office to build strong cases and ensure successful prosecution of offenders. For investigations requiring specialized expertise, the department partners with state and federal agencies including the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Traffic Safety

Traffic enforcement is an important public safety function that reduces accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Officers enforce speed limits, impaired driving laws, distracted driving regulations, and other traffic laws. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic law enforcement significantly reduces crash rates and improves road safety.

The department conducts impaired driving enforcement through DUI checkpoints and targeted patrols, especially during high-risk periods. Keeping impaired drivers off roads saves lives and prevents injuries.

Traffic officers also investigate serious accidents, reconstruct collision dynamics, determine fault, and prepare cases for prosecution when appropriate. Thorough accident investigation ensures accountability and helps identify roadway hazards that may need correction.

School Resource Officers

School Resource Officers (SROs) work in partnership with local schools to provide security, mentorship, and education for students. SROs develop positive relationships with young people, teach safety topics, address conflicts, and respond to incidents at schools. The SRO program builds trust between youth and law enforcement while enhancing school safety.

Animal Control

The Police Department provides animal control services including responding to loose or aggressive animals, enforcing leash laws, investigating animal bites, and coordinating with the regional animal shelter. Animal control officers also address wildlife conflicts in coordination with Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Parking Enforcement

Parking enforcement ensures turnover in limited parking areas, maintains fire lanes and loading zones, and enforces parking regulations that support downtown commerce and residential neighborhood livability. Parking enforcement officers issue citations for violations and coordinate with towing companies when necessary.

Crime Prevention

The department offers crime prevention programs and resources including:

• Home and business security assessments
• Neighborhood watch coordination
• Crime prevention presentations
• VIN etching and property identification programs
• Safety education for schools and community groups
• Identity theft prevention education
• Senior safety programs

Crime prevention education empowers residents to protect themselves and their property while building partnerships that enhance overall community safety.

Accountability and Professional Standards

The Jackson Police Department is committed to professional, constitutional policing that respects individual rights and maintains public trust. Officers receive regular training in use of force, de-escalation, cultural competency, implicit bias, and other topics essential to modern professional law enforcement.

The department maintains clear policies governing officer conduct, use of force, pursuit driving, and other critical areas. Supervisors review incidents to ensure policy compliance and identify training needs. The department welcomes community feedback and investigates complaints thoroughly and impartially.

All officers are certified by the Wyoming Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission after completing required academy training and demonstrating competency. Officers participate in continuing education throughout their careers to maintain proficiency and stay current with evolving best practices.

Interagency Cooperation

Public safety requires coordination among multiple agencies. The Jackson Police Department works closely with:

• Teton County Sheriff's Office (county law enforcement)
• Jackson Hole Fire/EMS (fire and medical emergencies)
• Wyoming Highway Patrol (state law enforcement)
• National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers (federal lands)
• Teton County Prosecutor's Office (prosecution)
• Regional drug task forces
• Federal law enforcement agencies (FBI, DEA, ATF, others)

This collaboration ensures comprehensive public safety coverage and allows agencies to share resources and expertise.

Community Engagement

Building positive relationships between law enforcement and the community is essential to effective policing. The department participates in community events, hosts open houses, maintains social media presence, and engages regularly with residents through various forums. Officers are approachable and welcome conversations with community members.

The department values diversity and works to serve all community members fairly and respectfully regardless of background, identity, or circumstances. Cultural competency and fair treatment are priorities in all police interactions.

Contact the Police Department

Emergencies: Dial 911

Non-Emergency: Contact the Police Department
Administrative Office: Available during business hours
Anonymous Tip Line: Available

Jackson Police Department
Town of Jackson

For general inquiries, records requests, or to speak with an officer about non-emergency matters, contact the department during business hours. For crimes in progress or emergencies, always call 911 immediately.