The patrol officers of the Baxter Springs Police Department consists of 8 Kansas state certified officers. This is the patrol division of the police department, who provide a number of services and/or functions for the police dept, the city, and the surrounding communities and agencies. The officers of this department enforce city ordinances, state laws, and federal statues. But they also provide a service to the city by unlocking vehicles, motorist assist, safety classes  for the areas youth groups, and anything else that may arise during their shift. 

    Before becoming a certified officer they spend 14 weeks at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) in Hutchinson, KS. After going to KLETC for 14 weeks they have gone though more then 560 hours of training, which includes criminal law, firearms, emergency driving, self defense, investigations, DUI detection, and active shooter training. Then after completing KLETC they must have 40 hours of continuing education every year.    

     Many of our patrol officers have been with the Baxter Springs Police Department for five years or longer. They work four 10 hour shifts a week but most of the time they will have overtime. The overtime comes from investigations, mandatory court appearances, and covering for other officers on vacation. The patrol division is made of the Assistant Chief,  Patrol Sergeant, Corporal, and five Patrolmen.