Divisions

Headquarters

The Lawton Police Department's Headquarters Division consists of Command Staff, Professional Standards, Public Information Officer, Internal Affairs Division and the Special Operations Section. Within the Command Staff is Chief James T. Smith, Deputy Chief William Hines, Assistant Chief Eric Carter (Non-Uniform Division) and Assistant Chief Alvin Winham (Uniform Division). The Internal Affairs Division works directly for the Chief of Police and consists of Captain Mark Mason and Detective Kenneth Dixon. The Public Information Office affairs are handled by Lieutenant Charles Whittington. The City of Lawton Animal Welfare is also under the governance of the Chief of Police.

Keri Henning is also assigned to the Headquarters Division as the Chief's secretary. She handles day to day inquiries and calls and is responsible for maintaining all personnel files at the station. Mrs. Henning can be reached at (580) 581-3200 or keri.henning@lawtonok.gov.

Criminal Investigation Division

The Lawton Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division is commanded by Captain Justin Thorne along with two Lieutenants, Lt. Noah Ellis and Lt. Jacob Ferrero. The Division is comprised of two sections, the Persons detectives and the Property detectives. There are currently 17 Investigators within the Division; 8 Property Investigators, 8 Persons Investigators, 2 full-time Crime Scene Investigators and one Computer Forensic Investigator. The Division is supported by one secretary, Kristie Bolan, who also serves as our pawn clerk. You may reach the Division by calling (580) 581-3240 or send a fax to (580) 581-3248.

The Criminal Investigation Division participates and reports to the LeadsOnline program which assists in the tracking of Pawn Shop activity and jewelry exchange businesses. LeadsOnline is a national company with numerous Agencies across multiple States. Whenever information from a pawn transaction is uploaded to Leads, it automatically notifies the Agency where the individual resides. This program has been instrumental in solving multiple cases of stolen property.

Please go to our Crime Statistics page to see current and past information concerning crimes that have occurred in Lawton. You may also visit our Lawton Sex Offender page or the Oklahoma Sex Offender page to get a list of registered sex offenders.

Training Division

The Training Division Commander is Lt. Charlie Whittington, who is supported by five Officers in the positions of the Range Master, the Academy Coordinator, the Training Coordinator, and the Community Oriented Policing Officer. Lt. Whittington, and The Training Division is responsible for the hiring process for new officers, conducting the Lawton Police Department Police Academies, and all other training, mandatory, and specialized for the department.

The Academy Coordinator is tasked with conducting the LPD Police Basic Academies, which consist of approximately 852 hours of Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, (CLEET), producing CLEET Basic Certified Probationary Officers upon successful completion and graduation from the academy. The Training Division not only hosts the Basic Police Academy for those hiring on with LPD, but also trains and certifies the Basic Academy for Lawton Fire Department Fire Marshalls and is open to officers from surrounding law enforcement agencies at local, county, and state venues.

The Training Coordinator is responsible for organizing and arranging training annually for the entire department. This includes all monthly In-Service Training, CLEET instructorship courses other specialized training topics for officers. The Training Coordinator maintains the training records for all officers within the department while adhering to CLEET standards, mandates, and is involved with the Department of Veteran Affairs, relaying pertinent information for those new hires who use their GI Bill benefits while attending the Police Academy. The Training Coordinator also audits LPD Officers professional training records and submits applications to CLEET for Intermediate and Advanced Certification Advancements.

The Range Master is responsible for all firearms related training, firearms courses for specific certification, and all annual qualifications for LPD officers, LPD special teams, and the Basic Police Academies. The Range Master tasked with records keeping, inventory of firearms and ammunition, and upkeep of the LPD Firing Range. The Range Master also hosts firearms related training courses for surrounding law enforcement agencies ranging from various local, County, and State Agencies. Some of these are the Lawton Police Public Schools Police Department, Cameron University Police Department, the Comanche County Sheriff’s Office, Lawton Correctional Facility, and the Comanche County Detention Center officers, just to name a few.

If you would like to contact the Training Division, please call (580) 581-3399.

*If you would like an Officer to come speak with your group or organization, or if you would like to start a Neighborhood Watch program, this is where you would start. *

Special Operations Division

Narcotics and Vice enforcement.

Patrol Division

The Lawton Police Department's Uniform Division, or Patrol Division, makes up the majority of the department and is under the direction of Assistant Chief Alvin Winham. There are currently over 100 Officers within the Uniform Division. We have six different Patrol Teams; Adam, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo and Frank. Each team is assigned to a specific duty time and days off. Each team is commanded by one Captain and two Lieutenants. Within each team, the officers are divided into either Westside or Eastside of town with Sheridan Road being the boundary and 1 Lieutenant from each team is assigned to a side. Within each side of town, the areas are further broken down into zones (1-12).

There are also specialized units within the Uniform Division and that would include Lakes, Traffic Units, COP, K-9's and the Gang Unit. Each of these units are supervised by a Lieutenant. We also have specialized teams within the department under Patrol; Dive Team, Tactical Team, Bike Patrol, Canine, Honor Guard, and Hostage Negotiators. These teams are made up of various officers and supervisors throughout the department.

In the Uniform Division, Officers vary in experience and rank. There are Probationary Officers that have recently attended the Academy and are in training. After being on the department for a year, they are then reclassified as Officer.

Lake Patrol

Lieutenant Tom Bailey is the supervisor of the Lake Patrol. The City of Lawton is responsible for both Lake Ellsworth and Lake Lawtonka, to include boathouses, camping sites, and picnic areas that are on City property. Lt. Bailey has two full-time officers assigned to the Lake Patrol. During the summer months while lake activity is at its highest, extra officers are assigned specific shifts at the lakes for better coverage.

If you would like more information on rules at the lakes you may contact Lake Patrol Headquarters at (580) 529-2800.

Contact Lieutenant Bailey at thomas.bailey@lawtonok.gov.

Traffic Unit

Lieutenant Michael McCallick is the supervisor of the Traffic Division. Currently, there are both motorcycle officers assigned to the traffic unit and non-motorcycle traffic officers. This unit is responsible for traffic enforcement on a daily basis but also responsible for the investigation of major traffic collisions. Members of this unit have been trained in advanced traffic collision investigations. Current plans are to obtain training for this unit in Traffic Collision Reconstruction where more precise and exact details of a collision can be recorded for major collisions.

If you have any questions or concerns relating to traffic or traffic enforcement please contact (580) 581-3270 and ask for a traffic officer.

Community Oriented Policing Unit

The Lawton Police Department has one officer assigned to Community Oriented Policing full-time. Although we have one full-time officer, every officer is involved in the Community Oriented Policing idea. Without help and input from citizens and community involvement, the departments objectives would be difficult to reach.

Lieutenant Charles Whittington
Office: (580) 581-3270 #3133
Cell: (580) 580-917-1746

Sergeant Matt Dimmitt
Office: (580) 351-6725
Cell: (580) 351-7081

Gang Intelligence Division

Lieutenant Michael Spencer II is in charge of the Gang Intelligence Division for the police department. The Gang Intelligence Division is currently manned Officers in addition to Lt. Spencer. The Gang Intelligence Division is responsible for identifying, locating, and monitoring gang activity within Lawton. The Gang Intelligence Division works with other Local, State and Federal Agencies in the identification and prosecution of gang members and their crimes.

The Gang Intelligence Division is also responsible for the education of citizens concerning gang activity. This is accomplished by numerous programs in which they teach awareness to local civic groups, schools, and other law enforcement personnel.

You may reach the Gang Intelligence Division at (580) 581-3220.

Dispatch/E911 Center

Performs a full range of call taking and dispatching responsibilities; operates complex communications equipment including radio console, multi-line telephone system, and computer terminals to access information to dispatch police, fire and other city assets.

Contact Jessica Carter, jessica.carter@lawtonok.gov