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

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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

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

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Patrol
Officers should know the following about their
beats:
1) Socioeconomic makeup
2) Geographical characteristics
3) Street locations
4) Problem areas
5) Recent crime trends

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

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Types of Patrol (continued)

2) Selective Patrol
- Deals with specific problems or violations

3) Apprehension Patrol
- Low visibility and surveillance

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

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Patterns (continued)

2) Double Back Pattern

- Helpful when learning a beat
- Helpful in problem areas or cases where a
second look is necessary

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

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

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

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Patrol Transportation (continued)

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

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Patrol Transportation (continued)

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

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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

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

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

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Patrol Transportation (continued)
The lane nearest the center of the roadway
- Advantages?
- Can turn around quickly if needed

The lane nearest the curb

- Advantages?
- Can get a better look into businesses, etc.

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

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