AJ 53 – Police Field Operations Chapter 5 – Basic Patrol Procedures

AJ 53 –Police Field Operations

Chapter 5 –Basic Patrol Procedures

Patrol Basics Duties and Responsibilities

Moving around within a designated area Active observation Interactive participation with citizenry

Purpose Visible presence to all Symbol of safety and security to law

abiders Reminder to potential law breakers

All types of patrol should result in daily, face-to-face contact with citizens

Link to Homeland Security?

Patrol Activities Administrative Activities

Community & department meetings, equipment maintenance

Officer-Initiated Activities Proactive efforts based on traffic/pedestrian

stops, PR contacts, etc. Assigned Calls-For-Service

Calls received by Dispatch Follow-Up/Directed Patrol

Specific to ongoing investigations

Vehicle Patrol Most common mode of patrol transportation Patrol car becomes officer’s mobile “office”

Communications & Equipment Types of vehicles used for various

purposes/situations General patrol duties Pursuits Marked vs. Unmarked vehicles Off-road

Disadvantages? Easily recognizable Barrier to interaction with citizens Costs

Types of Patrol Foot Patrol

Maximize contact with people in malls, parks, beaches, trouble spots…

Allows for increased personal interaction Less mobile – slower response time

Bicycles Mobile, unobtrusive, access to equipment

Motorcycles Primarily for traffic enforcement

Types of Patrol (continued) Horses/Mounted Patrol

Parades, crowd control, search and rescue

Welcoming and intimidating Small Vehicles

Electric vehicles, ATV’s/quads, Segways… Airplanes and Helicopters

Traffic, search and rescue, narcotics, etc. Boats and Jet-Skis

Waterways, holiday crowds, search and rescue/recovery

General Preparation for Patrol

Keep a Positive Attitude Must be developed and maintained despite overwhelming

negative encounters: Not all people are bad! Maintain positive off-duty relationships

Be Curious and Suspicious Situational awareness Observational perception Wonder why people do what they do

Become a Student of Human Nature Learn as much as possible about people and social

interactions Develop a broad base of multi-cultural experiences

Be Professional, Courteous, Empathetic, and Compassionate to All!

Pre-Patrol Preparation Knowledge and Information

Local, state, national current events Legal updates, case-law decisions, etc. In-service training classes

Beat Familiarity = Beat Integrity! Demographics, business, residential, rural Streets/numbering system, routes Floor-plans of likely calls for service

Liquor stores, banks, schools, apartment complexes

Pre-Patrol Preparation (cont’d)

Briefing Beat assignments, recent activities

Reports Read crime/incident reports from your

beat Vehicle Inspection

Careful and thorough! Gas, damage, lights/siren, equipment, etc.

Beginning of Patrol Check-in

Talk to officer going off-duty who has been working your beat

Check Your Beat Cursory check of area Random, varied pattern

Don’t establish permanent routine! Keep log of times & activities Homeland Security

issues/locations

Foot Patrol Considerations Recent trend of returning to foot

patrols Increases face-to-face encounters Builds and maintains Trust & Respect

Get to know people while on foot Be cautious of unethical gratuities

Good opportunity for PR contacts Actively observe surroundings/goings-

on You are still “on patrol”

Vehicle Patrol Considerations Consider vehicle as mode of transportation

Don’t “hide” inside patrol car Get out and walk around

In general, patrol at normal flow of traffic Slow enough to observe surroundings without

impeding other drivers Windows open, radios low Patrol Patterns (p. 168)

Spiral, zigzag, quadrant, cloverleaf Driving Factors

Vehicle, traffic, weather, fatigue, pursuits EVOC training

Plainclothes Patrol Unmarked vehicles

In uniform or plain clothes Advantages

Stealth and anonymity Observation and approach to illegal activity Immersion in crowds, special events

Challenges Identification Communications Weapons Contact with uniformed officers

Building Checks In vehicle or on foot

Need to physically “shake some doors” Note floor plans for future reference

Check vehicles/persons in area or parking lot

Loud vs. quiet approach Communication with Dispatch, other officers

Check for signs of forced entry Broken locks, pry marks, tools, etc.

Building Checks (continued) Open Door

Someone inside? Enter alone or wait for partner?

Consider K-9 if available Weapon drawn?

Employee? Janitor? Burglar? Lighting issues

Vision adjustment Flashlight vs. light switch

Checking interior Listen! Doors may be open, locked, etc. Expect someone to be there!

Make contact with Responsible Party

Crime-Prevention Checks Excellent PR tool! Residential

Vacation checks After theft, burglary, etc.

Commercial & Institutional Good use of foot-patrol time Offer advice to business owners Check business licenses

Attractive Nuisances

Be aware of potentially hazardous or troublesome locations… Vacant/Abandoned buildings Teen “party houses” Parks or playgrounds at night Drug use/sales Liquor stores, bars, etc.

Gangs and Gang Activities Not just a “big city” problem Pre-teens to young adults Typical activities/crimes

Tagging, graffiti, vandalism Theft, Robbery, Burglary Alcohol use, Drug use/sales Fights & Weapons

Patrol Officer’s responsibilities?

Surveillance Surveillance = observing a place,

person, or object for the purpose of… Identification Developing information Determining relationships Gathering evidence

Loose vs. Fixed surveillance

Surveillance Considerations

Gather as much intelligence as possible Before and during operation

Discreet communications Combine various methods

Foot, vehicle, individuals, and teams Develop a plan for contingencies

Expect the unexpected!

Stakeouts Fixed surveillance for suspect,

crime Planning and preparations

Notifications and cooperation Location and equipment Food, water, bathroom Communications Relief of personnel Plan for contingencies

Specialized Enforcement

SWAT, Gangs, Narcotics, Vice, etc. Special training/equipment required

Somewhat autonomous but still within Department policies & procedures

Requires communication/coordination with uniformed patrol

Undercover Assignments

Requires careful planning/preparation May require memorization of new

identity/personal history Challenges of isolation and separation May have to build relationships with

less-than-desirable people Impact on family?