Patrol Techniques Law Enforcement I

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Objectives of Patrol 1) Preserve peace by presence and proper action 2) Prevent crime by reducing opportunity

Objectives of Patrol (continued) 3) Suppress crime with timely response to crimes in progress 4) Regulate non-criminal conduct by obtaining and maintaining good officer-citizen relationships

Objectives of Patrol (continued) What things should an officer know about the beat he or she is patrolling?

Patrol Officers should know the following about their beats: Socioeconomic makeup Geographical characteristics Street locations Problem areas Recent crime trends Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Patrol (continued) Actions an officer performs before a patrol 1) Briefing – beat assignment, roll call training, events of the prior shift, gossip 2) Uniform and equipment maintenance 3) Vehicle inspection – lights, tires, undercarriage, weapons, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, CPR mask, camera, computer, other damage, etc. Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Types of Patrol 1) Preventive Patrol - Maintain high visibility - Various patrol patterns - What an officer spends a lot of his or her time doing

Types of Patrol (continued) 2) Selective Patrol - Deals with specific problems or violations 3) Apprehension Patrol - Low visibility and surveillance

Patterns 1) Circular Pattern - The car is driven from the center of the beat in increasingly large circles or vice versa

Patterns (continued) 2) Double Back Pattern - Helpful when learning a beat - Helpful in problem areas or cases where a second look is necessary

Patterns (continued) 3) Random Pattern - whatever pattern is chosen, the beat must be covered with a lack of predictability

Patrol Transportation 1) Bicycle Patrols - Flexibility where you can't use vehicles - Allows for high visibility and intense patrol

Patrol Transportation (continued) 2) Motorcycle Patrols - Quick response - Flexibility to cover large area - Can be used as escort units - Is effective in traffic enforcement

Patrol Transportation (continued) 3) Foot Patrols - Immediate traffic control - Person-to-person contact - Good community relations - Increased knowledge of a beat - Develop informants

Patrol Transportation (continued) 4) Automobile Patrols - Speed, mobility, visibility - Increases preventive patrolling - More protection for the officer - Permits officer to carry more equipment

Patrol Transportation (continued) 5) Fixed Wing and Helicopter Patrols - Available in emergency situations - Can cover an enormous area - Allows sky view of persons or vehicles - Excellent apprehension tool when used with ground units

Patrol Transportation (continued) 6) One Officer Patrols - Advantages? - Can use own techniques - Disadvantages? - Not as safe

Patrol Transportation (continued) 7) Two Officer Patrols - Advantages? - Safer - Disadvantages? - Personality conflicts

Patrol Transportation (continued) The lane nearest the center of the roadway - Advantages? - Can turn around quickly if needed The lane nearest the curb - Can get a better look into businesses, etc.

Resources Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLOSE) Training http://www.tcleose.state.tx.us/