Supervision- Session 6- Patrol Operations and Special Tactics

Question 1

WHY IS THE PATROL OFFICER IMPORTANT?

Answer 1

1. He is the visible symbol of safety and protection.
2. His activities often reflect upon the ENTIRE police department and the local unit of government by which they are employed.
3. His actions serve to influence the public’s ATTITUDE toward the quality and sufficiency of local government services.
4. He is frequently the first member of the department to establish physical contact with citizens, which largely determines subsequent police activity.
5. His actions also determine the nature of events that will take place at later stages in the criminal justice process.

Question 2

WHAT HAS BEEN AN UNFORTUNATE RESULT IN THE TECHNOLOGICAL EXPLOSION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?

Answer 2

It has drawn attention from the character and importance of the patrol function AND the patrol officer.

Question 3

POLICE SPECIALIZATION TAKES TWO FORMS. WHAT ARE THEY?

Answer 3

1. The application of special skills to police problems to increase the level of sophistication of police efforts. EXAMPLES: the crime analyst, research and development technicians, and systems development specialists.
2. The tendency to create specialized units which properly should be performed by the patrol personnel. EXAMPLE: special police - community relations unit.

Question 4

WHAT IS RECOMMENDED FOR SOME POLICE ADMINISTRATORS?

Answer 4

Don’t rely too much on specialization. Try to recognize the skills and capabilities of PATROL OFFICERS.

Question 5

WHAT ARE THE FIVE MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF POLICE PATROL?

Answer 5

1. Crime prevention and suppression
2. Crime investigation
3. Law enforcement
4. Maintenance of social order
5. Provision of public services

Question 6

HOW MUCH TIME IS DEVOTED TO DUTIES DIRECTLY RELATING TO CRIME PREVENTION AND SUPPRESSION?

Answer 6

Very little. As a matter of fact, there is little evidence to support the belief that general police activity has ANY DETERRENT value, or that it is directly related to crime prevention and suppression.

Question 7

WHAT WERE THE FINDINGS OF THE KANSAS CITY PREVENTIVE PATROL EXPERIMENT?

Answer 7

1. The experiment had no effect on street crimes.
2. Citizen attitudes toward police services were unchanged.
3. Citizen fear of crime was unchanged.
4. Police response time remained about the same.

Three areas were used: 1) all routine patrol was withdrawn 2) routine patrol at its usual level was maintained and 3) routine patrol was intensified by 2 or 3 times its normal level.

Question 8

WHAT IS A PROBLEM CONCERNING THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF PREVENTIVE PATROL?

Answer 8

The LACK of measurable indicators of effectiveness.

Question 9

TRADITIONALLY, PATROL OFFICERS HAVE PLAYED A RELATIVELY MINOR ROLE IN THE INVESTIGATION OF CRIME. WHY?

Answer 9

Because of a prevailing attitude that patrol officers do NOT possess the necessary qualifications to thoroughly investigate crimes.

The experts emphasize the fact that police “bosses” often do NOT take full advantage of the abilities of uniformed officers with respect to the investigation of crime.

Question 10

WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT DETERMINATION OF WHETHER OR NOT A CASE WILL BE SOLVED?

Answer 10

The information the VICTIM supplies to the immediately responding officer.

Question 11

WHAT ARE SOME FUNDAMENTAL CRIME INVESTIGATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PATROL OFFICER?

Answer 11

1. Preliminary investigation
2. Follow-up investigation
3. Collection of evidence
4. Crime reporting

Question 12

WHAT ARE 3 IMPORTANT PURPOSES SERVED BY THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION?

Answer 12

1. WHAT crime has been committed.
2. WHETHER the local police department has jurisdiction.
3. WHO was the perpetrator? This is tied in with the immediate apprehension of the perpetrator, if this is possible.

Generally speaking, the LONGER the delay between the occurrence of the crime and the initiation of police actions, the less likely the police will APPREHEND the perpetrator.

Question 13

WHAT IS THE PRINCIPAL REASON WHY MANY POLICE ADMINISTRATORS AND COMMAND OFFICERS OBJECT TO ALLOWING PATROL OFFICERS TO CONDUCT FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATIONS?

Answer 13

Such investigations may take the patrol officer some DISTANCE from the original scene.

Question 14

ONE BASIC PROBLEM IN MANY DEPARTMENTS IS THE QUALITY OF THE INITIAL CRIME REPORT PREPARED BY THE PATROL OFFICER. WHY IS THIS SO?

Answer 14

To some extent this is a reflection of the prevailing attitude that the ultimate responsibility for solving crimes belongs to the detective.

Coupled with this is the problem of poor report review procedures by field supervisors and command personnel.

Question 15

WHY IS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ROLE OF THE POLICE A SENSITIVE ONE?

Answer 15

1. The frequency of its performance plus the potential impact it has on the security and well-being of the community.
2. There is a RISK of upsetting the delicate balance that must be maintained between individual rights and community protection.
3. The laws that must be enforced are too numerous, too complex, and too pervasive.
4. There is a lack of a clearly articulated policy concerning HOW, WHEN, and UNDER WHAT conditions particular laws are to be enforced. Hence, great discretion on the part of the individual patrol officer.

Question 16

WHAT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE POLICE MISUSE THEIR ENFORCEMENT POWERS?

Answer 16

While such incidents may occur infrequently, they are usually given widespread attention by the news media - a fact which tends to exaggerate their relative frequency and severity.

Question 17

IS IT POSSIBLE TO ENFORCE ALL THE LAWS?

Answer 17

NO! The limited resources available require that laws be enforced on a highly SELECTIVE basis and in a manner that will ensure the greatest degree of voluntary compliance, public good, and individual welfare.

Question 18

HOW DOES THE ORDER MAINTENANCE FUNCTION OF THE POLICE DEVELOP?

Answer 18

1. It is often the direct result of the DISCRETIONARY authority granted to the patrol officer.
2. It arises when the patrol officer decides NOT to invoke his or her law enforcement powers and chooses instead some lesser form of control. (It includes the element of “PEACE KEEPING.”)

Question 19

WHAT IS PERHAPS THE DOMINANT CHARACTERISTIC OF THE PATROL OFFICER’S ROLE IN SOCIETY?

Answer 19

ORDER MAINTENANCE - “The police officer’s role is defined more by his responsibility for MAINTAINING ORDER than by his responsibility for enforcing the law.”

Question 20

WHY ARE THE POLICE CALLED UPON TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE, SHORT-TERM ASSISTANCE IN “NON-POLICE” SITUATIONS?

Answer 20

Because they are often the ONLY agency of government available on short notice to provide some assistance.

Police officers must be provided with the necessary technical SKILLS to furnish “SOCIAL FIRST AID” and must be prepared to handle a variety of situations which are only remotely connected with their central purpose.

Question 21

WHEN A NEW PROGRAM OR UNIT IS CREATED IN A POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHAT FREQUENTLY OCCURS?

Answer 21

Personnel are transferred from the patrol force without regard to what effect they will have upon patrol effectiveness or productivity.

Question 22

WILL AN INCREASE IN THE PATROL FORCE AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN A DECREASE IN CRIME OR IN IMPROVED COMMUNITY SAFETY?

Answer 22

NO!

Question 23

SHOULD TRADITIONAL METHODS OF DEPLOYING THE PATROL FORCE BE USED?

Answer 23

No! Such methods have failed to produce desired results and NEW strategies are required. (The patrol force should be distributed on the basis of NEED for police services.)

Question 24

WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP IN ARRIVING AT OPTIMUM (BEST) LEVELS FOR THE PATROL FORCE?

Answer 24

Determine WHAT it is that the patrol force does or is expected to do. (The second step is to determine acceptable standards of performance.)

Question 25

WHAT IS MEANT BY "PROPORTIONAL SCHEDULING"?

Answer 25

1. Patrol personnel should be assigned to work schedules that best reflect ACTUAL SERVICE DEMANDS. 2. The basic requirement in developing an effective beat system is an accurate method of reporting patrol incidents by geographic area. The smaller the reporting district, the more effective the beat design effort will be.

Question 26

WHAT IS THE PRIMARY OBJECTION OF "TOO-FREQUENT" SHIFT ROTATION?

Answer 26

It creates a physical hardship on the individual officer.

Question 27

WHY IS IT NECESSARY FOR SUPERVISORS TO EXERCISE CAREFUL SUPERVISION OVER PATROL SUBORDINATES?

Answer 27

Because of the highly complex, spontaneous, and unpredictable nature of patrol work.

Question 28

WHAT SHOULD BE THE EMPHASIS IN PERFORMANCE EVALUATION?

Answer 28

Developing sound, objective criteria for evaluating patrol officer performance. (The process should be viewed by the supervisor as well as by the employee as a positive means of IMPROVING individual performance.) ## Footnote QUALITATIVE measures are preferred to pure QUANTITATIVE measures as they reflect the soundness of a particular course of action taken in a specific situation.

Question 29

WHICH PATROL METHOD IS BEST AT ALL TIMES AND UNDER ALL CONDITIONS?

Answer 29

No one method is always best; there should be a VARIETY of patrol methods under balanced conditions which will provide the most effective use of the personnel available and which will be the most appropriate responses to the existing conditions and circumstances.

Question 30

WHAT ARE SOME ADVANTAGES OF AUTO PATROL?

Answer 30

1. Officers can cover a considerable area and can respond promptly to citizen calls for service. 2. It provides comfort in inclement weather. 3. It can transport equipment and materials.

Question 31

WHAT ARE SOME INHERENT DISADVANTAGES IN AUTO PATROL?

Answer 31

1. The officer becomes ISOLATED from the citizens on his beat. 2. The officer loses his ability to communicate freely with people. 3. The officer loses a "sense of community" and it diminishes the officer's capacity to learn and appreciate the feelings and interests of the community. 4. Certain types of criminal activity (suspicious persons, etc.) may go unnoticed. 5. During inclement weather officers may be reluctant to leave their cars.

Question 32

WHAT ARE SOME ADVANTAGES OF FOOT PATROL?

Answer 32

1. It can establish and maintain good community relations. 2. Situations which require police action can be detected. 3. It deters crime. 4. Sources of information are developed. 5. Criminal activity can be detected and intercepted.

Question 33

WHAT ARE SOME DISADVANTAGES OF FOOT PATROL?

Answer 33

1. It is expensive. 2. Supervision is difficult. 3. It is largely ineffective in performing many of the patrol objectives.

Question 34

WHEN CAN BICYCLE PATROL BE USED?

Answer 34

1. In congested areas in which autos cannot be used. (Parks, playgrounds, shopping centers, etc.) 2. Because of ease of operation and an element of surprise it is sometimes used to perform SURVEILLANCE work.

Question 35

WHY HAS MOTORCYCLE PATROL BEEN ABANDONED IN MANY DEPARTMENTS?

Answer 35

Because of cost of operation, safety hazards, and limited use during adverse weather.

Question 36

WHAT MAY DOG PATROLS BE USED FOR?

Answer 36

1. Search purposes, to detect contraband, and to track down missing or wanted persons. 2. They may be used in crowd control according to the Manual For Police.

Question 37

WHAT ABOUT TWO-OFFICER PATROL UNITS?

Answer 37

1. It is not cost effective in that it reduces the area which a given number of patrol personnel can be expected to cover. 2. There is no evidence to show it is SAFER than one-officer units. 3. However, TWO-OFFICER patrol is effective in high crime areas where the presence of a second officer can have a distinct psychological advantage. ## Footnote For routine patrol purposes, the TWO-OFFICER patrol unit is largely ineffective and should be avoided.

Question 38

WHAT IS "DIRECTED" PATROL?

Answer 38

A strategy in which patrol officers are involved in designing and implementing patrol activities on the basis of an ANALYSIS of specific community problems. (Participative decision making and sophisticated methods of crime analysis are emphasized in the "directed" patrol strategy.)

Question 39

WHAT IS "INTERACTIVE" PATROL?

Answer 39

Patrol which emphasizes POLICE-CITIZEN interaction (Community input is sought in resolving patrol problems.

Question 40

WHAT MUST A PATROL SUPERVISOR BE MINDFUL OF WHEN HE RESPONDS TO THE SCENE OF AN UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE?

Answer 40

1. That he should NOT delay action in the expectation that he will be relieved of responsibility by higher authority. 2. That his actions should be predicated upon the assumption that he will NOT be relieved and that it will be incumbent on him alone to make decisions.

Question 41

AT AN UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE, WHAT SHOULD BE THE PATROL SUPERIOR'S PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE?

Answer 41

To deploy available personnel and equipment RAPIDLY in the initial stages to PREVENT escalation of the incident. ## Footnote The supervisor should evaluate the occurrence quickly and then communicate to his headquarters the field intelligence available. The first item of information to be transmitted should be the NATURE OF THE INCIDENT; then the type and size of the incident.

Question 42

WHAT FACTORS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN ESTABLISHING A COMMAND POST?

Answer 42

1. Select a site that permits radio communication without "dead" spots. 2. The site should be near the affected area but NOT exposed to attack or gunfire, fire, noxious gases, etc. 3. The site should be near a telephone and a power supply if electricity is needed to operate floodlights and other equipment. ## Footnote Care should be exercised to avoid moving the command post unnecessarily, as this may cause confusion and disruption of operations.

Question 43

WHEN A SUPERVISOR ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY FOR DIRECTING POLICE ACTION AT AN UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE, WHAT SHOULD BE ONE OF HIS FIRST ACTS?

Answer 43

To appoint an AIDE to assist him in performing the many tasks he cannot perform personally. The AIDE should be responsible for keeping a LOG of control measures in all but the simplest of incidents.

Question 44

IS A DIRECT ASSAULT UPON A BARRICADED PERSON RECOMMENDED?

Answer 44

NO, especially when he can be apprehended by the use of special "weapons" without creating an unnecessary danger to police personnel.

Question 45

WHAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN DEALING WITH A "HOSTAGE" SITUATION?

Answer 45

1. Time operates to the advantage of the police, as it enables them to prepare more effective plans for dealing with the suspect. 2. Delay also provides the police with an opportunity to seize the individual (THE BAD GUY!) in an unguarded moment or give the victim (THE "HOSTAGE") an opportunity to escape. 3. Generally, no "deals" should be made by the police, as such arrangements would encourage others to make the same demands. Never trade a cop for a hostage! 4. The presence of police may DETER the criminal from harming the hostage.

Question 46

Are direct assault tactics recommended in a hostage situation?

Answer 46

No. Such tactics have been proved to be the least effective course of action.

Question 47

Should the area be overloaded with police personnel when dealing with a barricaded suspect?

Answer 47

No. Too many police officers may cause danger to each other due to crossfire.

Question 48

Should an appeal be made to a barricaded suspect who appears rational?

Answer 48

Yes. Inform him that he is surrounded and will not be harmed if he surrenders.

Question 49

What should be done with an emotionally troubled suspect barricaded with a hostage?

Answer 49

Determine the cause of the grievance, assure him that help will be provided, and encourage him to talk.

Question 50

What should be done when a decision is made for forcible entry?

Answer 50

Plans should be put into action, an entry team should be covered by other officers, and diversionary tactics should be used.

Question 51

What should police personnel do upon arriving at the staging area during civil disorder?

Answer 51

Park vehicles in a position least exposed to harm and lock shotguns and special equipment in the car trunks.

Question 52

What should a supervisor do when sufficient officers arrive at a civil disorder scene?

Answer 52

Form them into an appropriate squad formation with himself as squad leader and command them to carry batons in a 'port arms' position.

Question 53

What factors determine whether a civil disorder remains minor or becomes major?

Answer 53

Factors include availability of good field intelligence, accuracy of initial incident evaluation, effectiveness of the operational plan, speed of police response, and decisiveness of police action.

Question 54

Who should be arrested at the scene of a civil disorder?

Answer 54

Leaders of the group should be arrested to reduce the probability of further disturbance.

Question 55

What is the basic concept of civil disorder control?

Answer 55

The ability to strike swiftly with adequate forces.

Question 56

Should the crowd be permitted to escape during civil disorder?

Answer 56

Yes! Let the crowd escape to prevent them from attacking the police.

Question 57

What is a 'pincer' movement?

Answer 57

A formation where the crowd is attacked from the front and both flanks, forcing them to escape to the rear.

Question 58

How much force should be used in a major disturbance?

Answer 58

Only the amount of force necessary to achieve objectives should be used; excessive force must not be condoned.

Question 59

What should a supervisor do when the odds are overwhelmingly against the police?

Answer 59

Withdraw his forces.

Question 60

When dispersal has been accomplished, should some police remain?

Answer 60

1. Yes, to prevent new outbreaks and looting. 2. Mobile units can be used as an effective deterrent.

Question 61

What is the police mission in a labor dispute?

Answer 61

To protect the rights of both parties and the public.

Question 62

What should be the supervisor's first act at a labor dispute scene?

Answer 62

Meet with representatives of both sides and discuss the ground rules.

Question 63

How should vehicular traffic be directed at a labor dispute scene?

Answer 63

Usual hand signals should not be used to avoid giving the impression of encouraging or forcing entry through picket lines.

Question 64

Should police make arrests at a labor dispute?

Answer 64

Yes, as delay may be construed as weakness, but minor acts should be disregarded.

Question 65

Who should make the decision to evacuate an area during a disaster?

Answer 65

A superior officer of the highest position available should make this decision.

Question 66

What should a supervisor do when responding to a bomb threat?

Answer 66

Notify headquarters immediately and request personnel and bomb specialists; evacuations should be considered.

Question 67

How should evacuations at a bomb call scene be carried out?

Answer 67

Standard fire drill procedures should be avoided to prevent triggering an explosion.

Question 68

What should a supervisor do when a bomb is located?

Answer 68

Summon bomb specialists to remove or neutralize it.

Question 69

Who usually provides the best information in cases of lost children?

Answer 69

Playmates of the child.

Question 70

How is a residential search made for a lost child?

Answer 70

1. Start from the end of the block nearest the scene and work outward. 2. Two persons should search the area on one side of the street while two others check the opposite side. 3. When a block is searched, the teams compare notes and search the next block.

Question 71

What is the strategy for searching for a wanted person?

Answer 71

Search outward from the center of operations toward a guarded perimeter. If the suspect is moving ahead of the searchers, he will be forced into the hands of personnel guarding the perimeter. ## Footnote To reverse this pattern has the disadvantage of cornering the suspect, forcing him to resist if he refuses to surrender. It also presents a 'CROSSFIRE' hazard.

Question 72

How should a building be searched when looking for a criminal?

Answer 72

1. Begin at the TOP of the building and proceed downward systematically. 2. Subsequently, as each portion of the building is searched personnel should be assigned to secure that area or keep it under observation to prevent the suspects from moving into it. ## Footnote To reverse this pattern (BOTTOM to TOP) might cause the criminal to become more dangerous when he is CORNERED at the top of the building with no place to go or he may escape over the roofs of other adjoining buildings.