Clyde Dent
Deputy Chief Bureau of Patrol Services

Deputy Chief Clyde Dent

Deputy Chief Clyde Dent began his career with the Columbus Police Department as a Patrol Officer on November 2, 1987. As a Patrol Officer he served in the Patrol Division, Tactical Squad, Gang Task Force, and Motor Squad. As a Sergeant he served in the Motor Squad and the Patrol Division. As a Lieutenant he served as the commander of the Traffic Unit which encompasses the Motor Squad and Bike Patrol Unit. Once promoted to Captain, he served in the Patrol Division as a shift commander. Currently he serves as the Deputy Chief overseeing the Patrol Division.

Deputy Chief Clyde Dent has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University. He has completed the Command College Program and Professional Management Program from Columbus State University.

Patrol Services

Patrol Services is the largest Bureau in the Columbus Police Department. The Bureau provides a full range of emergency and non-emergency services to the entire city. The Bureau also includes a Directed Patrol Unit that is trained to handle special functions as well as normal patrol duties. This division comprises the bulk of the man- power assigned to the bureau and provides uniform patrol services to the city 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is comprised of three shifts, day, evening and morning watches, each commanded by a captain, that provide a full range of emergency and non-emergency services to the entire city.

South Precinct - 1441 Benning Drive

East Precinct - 4507 Buena Vista Road

North Precinct - 8395 Beaver Run Road

Hit and Run Investigations Unit

The Hit and Run Investigations Unit specializes in those traffic cases where the drivers flee the scene to avoid detection.

Bicycle Patrol

Bicycle Patrol Officers are specially trained to provide a quick and quiet response to requests for police services. They are primarily assigned to patrol the Riverwalk / Fall Line Trace and the City Parks. They may also be used tactically in residential and business areas as needed. This unit also conducts many bicycle related safety campaigns in Columbus and the surrounding area.

Motor Squad

The Motor Squad consists of highly trained motorcycle officers who provide traffic enforcement and motor vehicle crash investigation services.

School Crossing Guard Unit

The School Crossing Guard Unit is a group of trained civilians that provide safe pedestrian access to school properties. A Police Corporal manages them in a cooperative administrative arrangement between the City of Columbus and the Muscogee County School District.

Sub-units such as Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.), Hostage Negotiation Team (H.R.T.) and the Mobile Field Force are comprised of members of the Bureau of Patrol Services as well as other divisions throughout the Department. These specialized and highly trained units are utilized in emergency situations.