The Patrol Division of the Williston Police Department is responsible for providing the citizens of Williston with the highest level of professional police service and protection. Lieutenant Matthew Fortney leads the Patrol Division, which stands on the front-line of most police requests for service and provides the majority of the public safety and peacekeeping needs to the City of Williston.

The Williston Police Department is dedicated to traffic patrol for safety and drug interdiction purposes, not revenue. Our goal is to save lives, reduce traffic crashes and discourage the illegal use and transport of dangerous drugs. We focus on behavioral violations: speeding, stop sign and red light violations and those aggressive driving habits that most commonly result in traffic crashes. We also enforce occupant restraint laws and the Move Over Act for the safety of our public service workers. Most drivers who regularly visit Williston realize this and comply. The result has been a remarkably reduced number of injuries and property damage accidents. After many years without a traffic fatality on Williston's city streets, and despite our diligent enforcement efforts and continuing public safety education programs, our city has experienced two fatal traffic crashes in 2010.

One way we can all create a safer atmosphere is to comply with the law regarding safety belts. The Williston Police Department strongly advocates the proper use of seat belts and child safety restraints as mandated by Florida State Law.

Florida's current safety belt law requires all front seat occupants to be restrained, even if the vehicle is equipped with an air bag. The driver is held responsible for passengers under 18 years of age who are not buckled up. The law applies to all cars, pickup trucks (under 6000 pound) and vans operated on Florida's roads.

All children, depending on their weight and height, must be properly restrained in either a child safety seat or a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt. The Department has child safety seat specialists who provide courtesy inspections upon appointment.

The officers assigned to the Patrol Division are dedicated to working in partnership with the community in anticipating and preventing problems and to improving the quality of life for our City’s residents and visitors.