1. POLICE PATROL: THE BACKBONE OF POLICING
Chapter 1
POLICE PATROL:
THE BACKBONE OF POLICING
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2. U.S. system of policing was influenced from Great Britain
In early English, “Patrol” meant “walk in muddy water”
Patrol is the most visible part of policing work
U.S adopted the policing model from the London Metropolitan Police Department
Many other ideas brought from the British colonists include: English common law, individual rights, the court system, and law enforcement institutions
English Influence
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3. “Father of Modern-Day Policing”
In 1829, Sir Robert Peel reformed the policing system and founded the Metropolitan London Police Department This was the first police department to appoint and pay the police constables who were referred to as “Bobbies” after Peel He developed 9 principles of policing which are the foundation of today’s community policing 9 Principles of policing describe the duties of police officers and include recommendations for police departments to follow
Sir Robert Peel
“Father of Modern-Day Policing”
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4. “Bedrock of Early Policing”
3 Major Eras
Political Era Reform Era Community Policing Era
“Bedrock of Early Policing”
- Between 1840’s to 1930’s
- Dominated by political control
- Close relations among police and politicians
-Times of graft, brutality, and incompetence
Between 1930’s to 1970’s
Designed to reform the U.S. policing from the political corruption
August Vollmer and O.W. Wilson played important roles
Focus on crime control
From the 1970’s to present day
Placed law enforcement professionals on the street
Main objective is on crime and social disorder
Tackles crime in new and innovative approaches
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5. Purpose of Police Patrol
Prevent and control Crime are the two purposes of police patrol
Police use a wide variety of techniques to accomplish these purposes
Most important operational component is Crime Prevention
Responsibility for EVERY police officer
Most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime is through Neighborhood Watch
Problem solving is a technique used to produce long-term solutions
Police departments can start new programs within their communities to address local issues (i.e. National Night Out, Landlord Training, etc.)
Use of radar speed detection is the primary way to address speed enforcement
Laser Speed Radar, Photo Radar, Aircraft Speed Surveillance and Roadside Electronic Signs
Purpose of Police Patrol
-Crime control
-Crime Prevention
-Landlord Training
-Neighborhood Watch
-Neighborhood Nuisance Program
-Problem Solving
-Traffic Responsibilities
-Radar Speed Detection
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6. Reactive- Police respond to calls after an incident as occurred
Proactive- Police use intelligence to address crimes before it happens
Specialized Units within departments may gather information from surveillance and informants
Coactive- Police and the community tackle issues before they escalate
Use public and private resources to solve and deter crimes before they happen
3 Main Patrol Functions
-Reactive, Proactive, and Coactive Policing
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7. Operations Bureaucracy Paramilitary Model Developed by Max Weber
Basic organizational structure of police departments
4 elements:
A specific division of labor
Hierarchy of authority
Expertise
Written records
Paramilitary Model
6 elements borrowed from the military:
Centralized command structure
Strong discipline
Ranks and positions
Authoritarian leadership
Distinguishing uniform
Lines of communication
Chain of command
Unity of command
Operations
Two primary features:
-Bureaucracy
-Paramilitary Model
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8. Many types of police patrol available, but depends on the geographical layout and terrain of community
Research has found one-officer units are just as efficient and safe as two-officer units
Aircraft, Water/Marine, and mounted horses are the most expensive and require highly trained personnel
Mounted horse patrols are useful for difficult to reach areas and events that attract large crowds
Aircraft patrol observes large areas
Used to transport prisoners over great distances
Provides assistance to ground patrol units
Oldest patrol method is Foot Patrol
Introducing foot patrol among a mix of police strategies has increased the citizens’ perception of safety
Types of Police Patrol
- Foot
- Motorized
- Bicycle
- Motorcycle
- Single units and Double units
-Aircraft
- Water/Marine
- Mounted Horse
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9. Becoming a Police Patrol Officer
Largest component of any municipal law enforcement agency is the patrol section
Standards for becoming a police officer vary from department to department
The process to become a police officer is called a multiple hurdle
You must successfully complete one stage to proceed to the next
Written exams are a cost effective tool to screen applicants
A lack of agreement among law enforcement professionals regarding the physical ability testing and the standards that should be used to evaluate the applicant
Two specific advantages of using a polygraph test:
Candidates may choose not to apply because they feel it may reveal prior criminal acts
It gives the community an impression the department will hire only the best qualified applicants
Becoming a Police Patrol Officer
- Application
- Written Exam
- Physical Ability Test
- Polygraph Test
- Oral Interview
- Psychological Assessment
- Background Investigation
- Medical and Drug Screening
- Police Academy
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10. One of the most important functions of the police organization is training
Academy Training:
Learn the skills of policing
Each academy varies in length and content from department to department
Field Training:
Designed to ease the transition of rookie police officers from the academy to the field
Ride with a specialized trained officer for a specified period of time
In-service Training:
Mandated by state law to annually complete a specific number hours of training
Courses may include: firearms, defensive tactics, terrorism, hazardous materials, and courses that address new developments in the field
3 types of training
- Academy
- Field Training
- In-service Training
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