Police Department

About Us

The Oak Ridge Police Department (ORPD) was originally formed as a military police unit of the United States Army in 1942 to provide a secure community for workers supporting the Manhattan Project during World War II. At that time, the federal facility known as the "Clinton Engineering Works," was commonly referred to as "Oak Ridge," a name formally adopted in 1949. In 1947, the management of Oak Ridge was transferred from the U.S. military to the Atomic Energy Commission under civilian control. In 1959, the town was incorporated and a City Manager and City Council form of government was adopted.

Today, ORPD is a service organization employing commissioned law enforcement officers and support staff. The organization provides protection for people who live and work in the City of Oak Ridge and strives to prevent crime and disorder. Services are provided by forging and maintaining partnerships within the community, working closely with customers to identify and address common crime and safety issues. The department coordinates with other organizations to plan for and respond to emergencies and critical incidents.

Services are provided by way of specialized divisions, including a uniformed patrol division, which patrols the city in marked police cars, responding to calls for service and investigating crimes. The department works to improve the safety of motorists through traffic enforcement and driver education efforts. The criminal investigations division is responsible for following up on serious crimes and performing plainclothes operations. The communications division manages all public safety telecommunications, relaying information to fire and police units, and coordinating radio interoperability. The support services division manages all community policing, records management, supply chain, training, and animal control efforts. This is accomplished through teams with specialized training and skills for each assignment.

Department Phone Numbers

  • Emergency Communication Center (Emergency): 911
  • Automated Phone Directory: (865) 425-3504
  • Emergency Communications Center (Non-Emergency): (865) 425-4399
  • On-Duty Patrol Supervisor (Non-Emergency): (865) 425-3515 (Messages will be returned)
  • Animal Control: (865) 425-3423 (Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm)
  • Police Records: (865) 425-3512 (Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm)
  • Captain, Patrol Division: (865) 425-3968 (Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm)
  • Police Administration (Chief of Police and Division Captains):(865) 425-3504, Option 3 (Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm)

ORPD Vision, Mission, Values, & Goals

Vision

A professional law enforcement agency, committed to making Oak Ridge an attractive place to live, work and visit.

Mission

To reduce the incidence and fear of crime and to enhance public safety.

Values

  • We conduct ourselves in a fair and ethical manner.
  • We show respect to our customers and each other.
  • We communicate openly and are willing to listen to new ideas.
  • We share responsibility for team performance.
  • We collaborate to accomplish our mission.
  • We appreciate the contributions of every team member.

Goals

  • Reduce crime, the root causes of crime, and the fear of crime to enhance the quality of life in our community.
  • Enhance public safety by reducing traffic crashes and maintaining animal shelter status as a "no kill" shelter
  • Develop and maintain an effective workforce; attract and retain quality talent.
  • Operate within approved budget.