Chapter 4 Patrol: The Backbone of Police Operations 1-

Introduction Patrol service has been described as the backbone of the police department Patrol officers are the most valuable people in the organization Patrol techniques and strategies are examined, including results of the classic Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment The chapter concludes with a discussion of patrol and community policing 1-

The Importance and “Place” of Patrol in Policing IDENTITY AND IMPORTANCE Organizational contradiction Most crucial people Lowest on totem pole Promotion is not via patrol Often regarded as disposable Tendency to judge value by rank Learning Objective: How patrol is typically described. © Robert Maass/CORBIS/Age fotostock 1-

Patrol Functions TASKS AND DUTIES CALEA Standard 41.1 Primary law enforcement function More than the act of patrolling Variety of activities Traditional response Requests for service to alternate strategies Cont. © AP Images/Kathy Willens Learning Objective: What functions patrol typically performs. Learning Objective: How the majority of patrol time is spent. Learning Objective: How crowds can be classified. 1-

Patrol Functions TASKS AND DUTIES Deterring or preventing crime and disorder Noncrime calls for service Controlling traffic Assisting at the scene of a crime Crimes in progress Preliminary investigations Cont. 1-

Patrol Functions TASKS AND DUTIES Making arrests Special events Assisting at the scene of a fire Community service Peacekeeping function 1-

Patrol Methods DEPENDS ON NEEDS Foot patrol Create representative maps Community survey Community participation planning sessions Recruit a range of individuals Variety of approaches Cont. Learning Objective: What methods of patrol have been used and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Learning Objective: What type of patrol has the most mobility and flexibility and is usually the most cost effective. 1-

Patrol Methods DEPENDS ON NEEDS Automobile patrol Assigned vehicle programs One-officer versus two-officer patrol units In-car video Global positioning and information systems Voice-activated patrol car equipment Cont. 1-

Patrol Methods DEPENDS ON NEEDS Motorcycle patrol Bicycle patrol Segways Ecofriendly Economical Mounted patrol Air patrol Expensive to operate Cont. © AP Images/Damian Dovarganes 1-

Patrol Methods DEPENDS ON NEEDS Water patrol Special-terrain vehicles K-9 assisted patrol Very popular Combination patrol Jurisdiction Size © AP Images/Alan Diaz 1-

Patrol Techniques and Strategies ESSENTIAL FUNCTION Routine Patrol and the Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment Three groups each with five beats Reactive beats Control beats Proactive beats Cont. Learning Objective: What the Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment found. 1-

Patrol Techniques and Strategies ESSENTIAL FUNCTION Patrol experiment found no measurable effect on: Crime Fear of crime Attitudes toward police Police response time Traffic accidents Cont. 1-

Patrol Techniques and Strategies ESSENTIAL FUNCTION Area and shift assignments Proportionate assignment Response time Discovery crimes Involvement crimes Differential police response strategies Cont. Learning Objective: What most affects the possibility of on-scene arrests. Learning Objective: What two basic causes account for delays in calling for service. 1-

Patrol Techniques and Strategies ESSENTIAL FUNCTION Split-force patrol Continuous presence Saturation patrol Hot spots Directed patrol Focus on specific department goals 1-

Patrol and Problem-Oriented Policing PROBLEM DRIVEN Problem-oriented policing Herman Goldstein in 1979 Shift in perspective Reactive to proactive Think in terms of problems Move beyond just handling incidents Cont. Learning Objective: What basic change in perspective problem-oriented policing requires. 1-

Patrol and Problem-Oriented Policing PROBLEM DRIVEN The SARA problem-solving process Scanning Analysis Response Assessment Process evaluation Impact evaluation Learning Objective: What the SARA problem-solving process consists of. 1-

Patrol and Community Policing SHIFT IN PATROL METHODS Patrol officers can be catalysts Greater use of foot, bicycle, mounted, and K-9– assisted patrol Redeployment of patrol officers Identifying specific “hot spots” © AP Images/Ed Andrieski 1-

Summary Officers on patrol serve many functions Between 80 and 90 percent of all calls for police service are of a noncriminal nature Crowds may be classified as self-controlled, active, or explosive Different patrol techniques have met with varying degrees of success The SARA problem-solving technique has contributed greatly to policing effectiveness 1-