Topic 4a Presentation

TYPES OF PATROL            
The most common form of patrol is that performed on foot by a police officer in uniform. 
Its success in controlling crime was determined in London since 1763 when Henry
Fielding, aided by his brother John who were successively designated as Bow Street
magistrates, organized a force known as the Bow Street Foot Patrol.  This was a
group of men, privately employed and, specially trained as thief takers/catchers.  Its
demonstrated utility gave rise to Robert Peel’s Metropolitan Police Act of 1829.
In modern police departments, there are many forms of patrol that can be used to
address different situations.  In this this lesson, they are discussed as the types of
patrol.  Discussions in  this lesson include the advantages and disadvantages of each
patrol type and the basic procedure on how these that are utilized.
 

THE BEAT PATROL

Most patrol officers are assigned to a particular area called  beat.  In police (Links to an
external site.) terminology, a beat is the territory (a small geographical area) and time
that a police officer patrols (Links to an external site.). Beat policing is based on
traditional policing (late 19th century) and utilizes the close relationship with the
community members within the assigned beat to strengthen police effectiveness and
encourage cooperative efforts to make a safer community.
Beat police typically patrol on foot or bicycle which provides more interaction between
police and community members. Hence, these police personnel are referred to as beat
patrols. In the PNP, they are commonly known as patrolmen.
 The size of the BEAT is determined by:

1. The type of area to be patrolled ( business, farming, residential, recreation, etc.)

2. The type of criminal activity that occurs in the area.
3. The frequency of crime in the area

To properly cover the beat, when it is needed, patrols assigned in shifts.  Shifts are
usually determined by, the number of personnel available and, the frequency of calls for
police service.
Who is a Beat Cop?
-A beat cop is a law enforcement officer who walks, rides, cycles, or drives in a specific
neighborhood that becomes known as his or her “beat.” The officer routinely patrols in
the same area, and as such he or she often becomes well known in the community and
is well-positioned to prevent crime and respond quickly when things go awry. Ideally,
neighborhood residents will feel comfortable approaching the beat cop to talk about
local issues and concerns. They may also be more inclined to report problems when
they feel like they have a personal connection with the department.

FOOT PATROL
The foot patrol is the most expensive type of patrol; and most departments have
reduced their foot patrols to a minimum because of this. However, it does have certain
advantages that warrant its continued use if even on a limited basis.  Usually, a foot
patrol is assigned to an area of dense population such as the downtown area, or where
there is heavy traffic congestion and the assistance of an officer is needed to help
eliminated traffic jams.
 
Foot patrol is used to secure two types of police geographical units:

1. Post (a fixed position or location where an officer is assigned for guard duty)
2. Beat (the smallest area specially assigned for patrol purposes)

Route- a length of street/s designed for patrol purposes

Sector- containing two or more

District- a geographical subdivision of the city for patrol purposes, usually with its
own station

Area- a section or territorial division of a large city

 
Types of Foot Patrol

1. Fixed foot patrol is usually used for traffic, surveillance, parades and special
events
2. Mobile foot patrol is used where there is considerable foot movement such as
patrolling business and shopping centers, high crime areas, and in places where
there are multiple family dwellings.
3. Line beat patrol is used in securing a certain portion of roads or street.
4. Random foot patrol is used in checking residential building, business
establishments, dark alleys, and parking lots.

 
Some of the advantages of the Foot Patrol 
1. The foot patrol officer can provide immediate traffic control when it is needed.
Being within a close proximity to problem areas, he will know when his assistance is
needed due to the increase of traffic.  He does not have the problem of parking his
vehicle, nor finding a place to park it without causing further traffic problems.
2. More person-to-person contact can be made with the public. This provides
greater chances to promote good public relations.  However, if the wrong man is
given this assignment, it can backfire and harm public relations.  The foot patrol
officer makes more personal contacts and is seen more by the public than any other
type of patrol, therefore becomes an important link between the department and the
public.
3. The officer can actually get to know the physical layout of his beat better. There
are many things that an officer misses by patrolling his beat in a police car because
of the speed he is traveling and because of the size of the beat.
4. He gets to know the public on his beat better, and can develop criminal
informants easier. He can also make rendezvous with informant easier without being
noticed since he does not have to park his police car nearby.        
5. A foot patrol officer can sneak up on situation where a patrol car is easily noticed
when it approaches.

 
To appreciate this most basic type of patrol, watch this video presentation about the
Philadelphia foot patrol experiment.
 
Basic techniques and procedures of foot patrol

1. Do not establish a set of pattern of patrolling procedure

2. Walk systematically (with purpose) on the beat while on patrol
3. Do not smoke nor drink while on patrol especially during night shift.
4. Walk near the curb during daylight. This technique offers:


o a better view for observing street activity
o less chance of obstruction by pedestrian on the sidewalk if you are
required to take quick action
o higher police visibility, which is effective in crime prevention

7. Walk near buildings during night patrol.

8. Do not immediately open the door when intending to get inside. Observe and
evaluate first the     situation.
9. Check the interiors of buildings and rattle door knobs to ensure that the premises
are secure
10. Enter and inspect alleys when not seen by public.
11. Watch for persons loitering or hiding in doorways, either ingress or egress
12. Use fire escapes to inspect building rooftops once in a while.
13. Be attentive or on alert for the sound of breaking glass

 
TRIVIA:
Historically, the traditional foot patrol in the Philippines was initiated in August 7, 1901
by virtue of Act  183, known as the Charter of Manila, enacted on July 31, 1901. 
Governor William Howard Taft, the first Civil Governor of the Philippines, formally
created the Manila Police Department.  Likewise, the second recorded event concerning
patrol method in police work was on March 10, 1917, as provided for in the Revised
Administrative Code of the Philippines when it mentioned, “Requirement of police
service or patrol duty for male residents.”
 
After 53 years of relying on foot patrol, the first automobile patrol was introduced on
May 17, 1954 by the Manila Police Department, through the initiative and foresight of
Hon. Arsenio H. Lacson, the first elected Mayor of Manila.  Isaias Alma Jose was
designated by the Mayor to organized the first automobile patrol.  He was appointed the
first Chief of the Mobile patrol Bureau that he commanded for ten years.