As American Canyon's population continues to grow, the south county city's police department is keeping in step with the proliferation of new residents and businesses.

Recently the department added another sergeant, motorcycle officer and a police technician.

In 1992, American Canyon public safety was handled by two Napa County Sheriff's deputies, who patrolled the area. In January 2001, the city established its own police force, contracting with the county to supply deputies who would be assigned strictly to patrol American Canyon, according to American Canyon Police Chief Doug Koford.

Today, the police department has 18 sworn peace officers and two civilian positions.

"The city is just growing by leaps and bounds. About four and half years ago, the population was about 6,500," Koford said. "Today we are close to 15,000 residents."

Koford, who is also a captain with the sheriff's department, answers to Napa County Sheriff Gary Simpson and the American Canyon City Council.

With the new additions, the city has three sergeants, 14 sworn officers and two police technicians.

Craig Nickles is the newest sergeant on the force. Mark Brownlee, who has been with the American Canyon police department since 2003, will now be patrolling the streets on his motorcycle. Kim Hudson, a former Calistoga Police dispatcher, helps out at the front counter at the police station on Elliott Drive, in addition to overseeing the car seat program, bicycle safety and crime prevention.

"When I came to American Canyon as the police chief, we had one sergeant and seven sworn officers," Koford said. "It's just amazing all of the growth and construction that is going on down here. In addition to the many housing subdivisions that have gone up, there are several business construction projects that are happening, including the new Super Wal-Mart."

Koford said one of the city's biggest headaches is its traffic problem.

"That is why we needed the second motorcycle patrol," he said. "We not only have our own commuters, we also have a large amount of tourists on any given day. With the increase in staff, we will be able provide better control over the traffic situation."

Koford said the additional sergeant will improve the round-the-clock policing of the city.

"Before, we just had two sergeants for 24/7 coverage. The community wants to know its police are out there enforcing the law and patrolling the streets at any time of the day or night," he said.

Nickles will the fill the day shift slot. He will be in charge of the police techs, the community service and school resource officers and the traffic units.

The move to American Canyon as a sergeant was a promotion for Nickles. "Being in American Canyon is certainly a feeling of working in a city as opposed to the large area sheriff's deputies cover in the county," he said.

Nickles, 42, has been with the sheriff's department for 18 years. During this time, he has worked patrol, as a court bailiff, a K-9 handler and is currently a firearms and taser instructor. He and his wife, Sandy, have three grown children.

Brownlee has been with the Napa County Sheriff's Department since 1991. He has worn many hats working in the civil division, as detective, in the major accident investigation team, to his latest assignment riding the streets of American Canyon on his Harley-Davidson.

"I enjoy working in American Canyon. We have a great bunch of people down here," Brownlee said.

Brownlee is also a moderator for the American Canyon Online Police Forum, where residents can ask questions regarding police actions, events and other issues.

Hudson, 38, is no stranger to law enforcement. Prior to coming to American Canyon, she worked as a Calistoga police dispatcher for nine and half years.

"I am looking forward to the variety of things I will be able to do in this job. Not only will I be helping people at the front counter, I will be able to get out of the office and do vehicle abatement and other public service programs," Hudson said. "There will be something different every day. And since I won't be dispatching, I will be working just days Š no more shift work."

Hudson has a teenage son and daughter.

Chief Koford said he is proud of the accomplishments the American Canyon Police Department has achieved during the past five years.

In addition to the increase in staff, the department has moved to a bigger office next to city hall. But if all goes as planned, the police department will be pulling up stakes near the end of 2007 and relocate to a state-of-the-art public safety building on Highway 29, north of American Canyon Road. The building will also house the American Canyon Fire District.

"We have also got our first full-time school resource officer, a K-9 unit and police volunteer program," Koford said. "We are in the process of recruiting more volunteers."

Volunteers oversee the Neighborhood Watch, do vacation checks on residences, direct traffic at school zones, set up the radar trailer and help out with clerical duties.

"It's easy to be a volunteer. You have to be 18 and have no criminal background," Koford said.

Koford said he knows it will be an uphill venture keeping up with the city's growth. "We expect to see the population reach 28,000 to 30,000 within the next eight to 10 years," he said. "As the city grows we need to grow with it."