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?