PSINSP JOSE CALIGUIRAN COBALLES O-15911

Lecturer
Bachelor of Science in Criminology Review
POLICE PATROL OPERATIONS
SEQUENCE OF PRESENTATION
Topic

Page

I.

The Importance and Objectives of Police Patrol

II.

Factors Affecting Patrol Operations

III.

Organization and Staffing of the Patrol Functions

IV.

Types, Methods and Planning for Patrol

11

V.

Patrol Tactics, Strategies and Activities

13

VI. Patrol Supervision

15

VII. Supporting the Patrol Effort

17

VIII. References

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Reviewer on
POLICE PATROL OPERATIONS

I.

The Importance and Objectives of Police Patrol

term Patrol was adapted by the French patrollier, which means to travel by foot
private police play important role in business or groups of people to discourage and
apprehend thieves, famous was the Henry Fielders Bow Street Runners in 1792
Sir Robert Peel established the ground work for patrol force in 1784
John Fielding succeeded the work of his brother of Henry after he has died,
John pioneered foot patrols and founded the journal Hue and Cry who later became police
gazette
Sir Robert Peel put a bill in 1829 for improving the police and became a law in England
Blue Devils or Bobbies nicknamed for the first official police patrol force that went in
London streets
PATROL as the backbone of the Station
single largest unit of the Station next is traffic
most important representatives
front line of all units and specialist
nucleus of a police department
organized to the departments first responder
it is the concept of a person traveling around a defined jurisdiction, observing the situation
and maintaining the safety and security of the people and property
o about half of the Stations force are on patrol duties
o Situations for patrol officers to react:
prevent crime
conduct investigation
engage in problem-solving activities
control traffic
render public services promptly
o the most visible street-level representatives of any governmental authority
o patrol Officers are Diagnosticians and Problem Solvers from: Herman Goldsteins term
o patrol Officers do whatever is reasonable and constitutional to maintain the security and
safety of the communities they police
Patrol Functions and Activities
criminals execute their illegal activities where police lax and inefficient
high level of police visibility enhances citizens a feeling of safety and security and a feeling
of fear from the would be criminal or OMNIPRESENCE
a. suppression of criminal activities
b. apprehension of criminals
c. regulation off non-criminal conduct

Responsibilities of Patrol Force

1. patrol and observations
2. called for services
3. inspectional services
4. control of public gatherings
5. responding to emergencies
6. attending to complaints
Importance of Police Patrol
1. vital in crime prevention operations
a. defer opportunity to commit crime
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b. organized crime operations will avoid police patrol

c. community will appreciate police action
2. assist investigative units
a. protect crime scene
b. arrest suspect/s
c. conduct initial interview and interrogation at the scene
d. provides investigator data of the situation
e. assist in the collection of evidence at the scene
Objectives of Police Patrol
contact wide range of people who have nothing to do with crime
Egon Bittner: something that ought not be happening and about which, somebody had better
to do on what is happening
reproduce order after it has been disturbed
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

identify criminal offenders and activity

reduce opportunities fro the commission\ of crime
aid individuals who are in danger
protect constitutional guaranties
facilitate movement of people and vehicles
identify law enforcement and government problems
maintain a feeling of security in the community
promote civil order

Patrol Officer on Beat

1. Foot Patrol
a. patrolling of streets
b. security and inspection of establishment and vacant buildings
c. investigations of suspicious persons, gambler, prostitutes
d. make preliminary investigation of crime
e. promptly investigate complaints
f. respond to natural or manmade emergencies
2. Duties and Responsibilities assigned in Mobile Unit
a. licensed to use and maintain police vehicles for official business
b. crew shall be equipped with radios and inform the base of their location and any
development
c. respect and observe traffic laws and regulations
d. siren and blinkers shall be used only when responding
The Ethical use of Deadly Force
1. to protect his life
2. to protect the life of another
3. to prevent the commission of felony or prevent the escape of felon

II.

Factors Affecting Patrol Operations

A. Organizational Factors Affecting Patrol Operations
Internal Factors
1. Low Credibility of the Police
a.
involvement of police in crimes
b.
slow response time
c. graft and corruption
d.
morality are questioned
2. Problem in Police Personnel Management
a.
compensation scheme
b.
influences over appointment, designations and promotions
c. retirement is poor
d. reassignment of personnel has no standard basis
3. Problems on Police Operations
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a.

inadequate mobile, fire power and

communication
b.
negative public attitude over police
c. problems on crime, drugs and vice control
4. Others
a.
leadership crisis
b.
inadequate manning level in terms of population ratio
c. moonlighting
External Factors
1. role of LCE
2. political intervention
3. public apathy (lack of interest)
B. Internal and External Factors Affecting the Individual Patrolman
Internal Factors
1. Discretion
2. Character and Behavior
3. Stress - the body nonspecific response to any demand placed on it (positive or
negative stress)
Stages
a. Alarm emergency reaction; mans animal instinct; fight or flight syndrome
b.
Resistance - bodily resources are mobilized to deal with the specific stress
c. Exhaustion - body no longer capable of maintaining resistance
Considerations to avoid Stress
a. must understand what is stress
b.
know its effect physically
c. know how to channel stress into more productive activities
Indications of Stress
a. change of personality and appearance
b. excessive sick leave
c. calling in sick during a shifts or day offs
d. increase in citizens complaint
e. rapid mood changes
f. sleep disorders
g. frequent accidents
h. excessive use of violence, alcohol and drugs
i. obsession with jobs: depression
Big Killers of Police Officers
1. Stress
2. Disease
3. Suicide
4. Accidents
5. Assault
Sources of Stress
1. the occupation
a. lifestyle - recognize and accept differences
b. ambition - little control over own advancement
c. responsibility - feel a burden
d. cynicism - to question goodness
e. disgust - revolting
f. terror - terrifying (trauma)
g. mourning
2. the department
3. community
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4. family
5. yourself
a. ambition - focus on peer approval and on promotion
b. integrity - fight against temptation
c. blame - e.g. cost license if to issue ticket

External Factors
I. Public Apathy
goodness of the police has no effect in the public
sometimes media has influence and public will rely
radical group aggravates to the police the issues against the government
2. Police Department
problem in the bureaucracy, administration
a. Lack of Control
o over hiring or bias
o to your partner or boss
o over budget
o senseless decisions of LCE and police administrators
o have no control over cases if not the prosecutor
o new cars are used by higher office of boss
b. Lack of Closure
o name dropping, pinpointing of fingers on sensational crimes
c. Lack of Recognition
o some people are blind and deaf at recognizing police work, telling, thats part of
your work
o assume the worst and accept the following reality:
1. your good reports will go unnoticed and unread
2. evaluation usually focus on negatives aspects
3. least deserving officer get the next promotion
4. someone with no interest will get the training you want
5. someone less deserving get reward
6. misplaced or forgotten promotion papers
o accept and continue to be professional and youre the best in your community
d. Lack of Training
o non-Criminology graduates find little training after basic recruit course when
dispatched in the streets
e. Lack of Equipment
o use of equipment effectively and efficiently
f. Department Policies
o voluminous department policies and sometimes law that a source of problems
g. The Supervisor
o aside from Senior Officers are the LCE
h. The Investigating Body (Headhunters)
o face all the investigative body, PLEB, NAPOLCOM, IAS and Local Officials for
any complaint against the patrol Officer

3. The Family
a. Spouse
spouse to understand the mood if elated or exited when coming home from
patrol work
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spouse has fears every time you walk out from the door from jealousy is
greatest
b. Children
time on dining without children and at side during the night
difficult for them to understand why patrol officer is not around especially
during weekends
c. Parents
jealous also; thinking if patrol officer is still alive
4. The Community and Environment
a. The Laws
politicians enact laws thinking that make them popular but unenforceable and
later police will be caught between the law and affected by the community
b. Court
when responding to crisis in the streets people curses, hear utter defamatory
words by the police and not by any other profession, but in court these things
stops
Instances why police are afraid in court appearances:
a. prosecutors dont care and often are not familiar with the case
b. defense turn into attack to the police
c. judges sometimes do not appreciate police witness
d. court scheduling may not be convenient to police witness
e. if case is successful, police work is not appreciated but if failed fingers may
be pointed to the police
c. The Media
police stories are big sellers and people believe that media publish the truth
police says no comment when interviewed because:
1.
investigation is underway
2.
things are personal issues
3.
suspect was a juvenile
4.
it is an instruction from higher office
d. The Activist
this groups think that the Station is not doing the right thing like violations of
human rights
they think that police is the instrument of the ruling class
they want change that police will conduct on legal and ethics
e. Geographical Settings

police must have knowledge not only people but the

geographical settings
C. Occupational Hazard
o
o
o
o

exposes the patrolman to physical danger; perform work in between life and death
uniform police and marked vehicle are vulnerable to attack
the response to the public may be countercharged by the disputants
police hazards vary according to day to day situation but sometimes depend on the
actions of the patrolman

Dealing with Stress

1. get proper rest
2. learn to relax
3. exercise regularly
4. talk out your stress
5. if you cant still handle it, talk to professional
6. last of all, get another job

III.

Organization and Staffing of the Patrol Functions

7

A. Organization Principles
a. We are born in organization, educated by organizations and spend most of our lives
working for organizations
b. We spend much of our time, playing and praying in organizations
c. Most of us will die in organization and when the time comes for burial, the largest
organization of all the state must grant official permission
organization exist so they do those things that people are
unwilling or unable to do alone

ORGANIZATION is defined as the rational coordination of the

activities of a number of people for the achievements of common goals

Traditional Organization Theories

1. Scientific Management

Father of this theory is Frederick W. Taylor; find the one best

way to do the work

employees are guided by their actions by what is in their

economic self-interest
2. The Bureaucratic Model

Max Weber stated this as purely on technical point of view

Characteristics:
a. follows the principle of hierarchy; lower office is under higher one
b. specific areas of competence
c. duties are bound by a system
d. acts, decisions and rules are recorded
e. rights are the property of the office and not the office holder
f. appointment based on qualifications
g. members do not own the means of production
3. Administrative of Management Theory

sought to identify generic or universal

administration and it concentrates upon broader principles

method

of

Principles
1. Specialization division of work
2. Authority right to give orders
3. Discipline respect with the standing agreement between the firm and
employees
4. Unity of command one command from one supervisor
5. Unity of direction - one plan for group of activities
6. Subordination of individual interest to the general interest
7. Remuneration of personnel
8. Centralization
9. Scalar chain or chain of command
10. Order - place of everyone in his place
11. Equity - combination of kindness and justice
12. Stability of tenure of personnel
13. Initiative at all levels of the organization
14. Esprit de corps, harmony and union of personnel
B. Organizational Duties and Responsibilities and Management Functions in Patrol
Work
patrol efficiency and effectiveness could be attained through adequate staffing and
selection of patrol tactics could attain
Aims of patrol auditing process
1. identify, review and restatement of patrol objectives
2. reinforce operational philosophy and values
3. help assess how effective and efficient is patrol

Organization of Patrol
8

A. Concept of Organization
organization consist of arranging personnel and functions
a well organized police agency will not operate with the maximum efficiency if it is
not well manage
B. Organizing for Patrol
patrol officer represent all the power and responsibilities of the police
policing should be considered a patrol service with specialized activities developed
as said
patrol officer is charged with the performance of the ranges of complex
responsibilities inherent in the police service
C. Patrol Force Staffing
allocation and distribution of personnel resources
Personnel Allocation is the determination of the overall number of personnel
Personnel Distribution is the assignment of personnel
D. Patrol Force Deployment and Scheduling
must be based on geography, organizations operations and service demand
Considerations for Deployment
1. Terrain - rivers, vital installations and landmarks
2. Size land area
3. Population traditions, culture, dialect
4. Workload - based on proportionate needs; number of cases handled; average time
required; shifting hours and time lost thru vacation, offs
Factors to Consider
1. amount and nature of vehicle and pedestrian
2. existence of public gatherings
3. temporary and longstanding tensions
4. presence of illegal and disorderly street

IV. Types, Methods and Planning for Patrol

Police Patrol Methods
determine the type of patrol most suited to any given area on any given shift
A. Foot Patrol
oldest means; most workable method to patrol areas with increased population
Advantages of Foot Patrol
1. mobility - foot could penetrate areas not by vehicle
2. observation is greatly increased while on foot
3. walking a beat an officer should occasionally take the time simply stand and listen
4. stealth approach thru radio communications in response to crime
5. officer should not conduct foot patrol without a partner (buddy-buddy system)
6. has the recognized benefit of promoting good community relations
7. fitness burn calories, walk exercise
Disadvantages of Foot Patrol
1. inclement weather
2. far and away the most significant disadvantage of foot patrol is expense
3. carry nearly as much support equipment is impossible
4. slow response time
B. Automobile Patrol

the most popular and common police patrol today; used in rural areas, small
towns and densely populated areas

Advantages of Automobile Patrol

1. cover a far larger area
2. without vehicle, must deploy more officers
3. reduce police response time
4. allow for the transportation of prisoners and equipment
5. have equipments for safe transportation
6. protection from other lawless elements
Disadvantages of Mobile Vehicle
1. reduce observation ability
2. reduced interaction with the community
3. maintenance cost
4. open target to a criminal element
5. two Officers in one unit is a drawbacks (disadvantage) hesitate to call for back-up
C. Bicycles

used in housing community, campuses, parks

seem to be great for public relations and of physical shape
have to be backed up by regular patrol units

Advantage of Bicycle Patrol

1. stealth (silent) operation
2. accessibility
3. broad coverage
4. effective for controlling street level crimes and huge crowds
5. faster response time
Disadvantage
1. cost maintenance is expensive
2. requires training and must be physically fit anytime
3. weather conditions limits the use
4. carry much equipment is impossible
D. Motorcycle Patrol
used for traffic enforcement; fast, powerful and a little dangerous; motorcycles are often
the first units on the scene or call of service
Advantages of Motorcycle Patrol
1. maneuverability
2. move through crowds or travel narrow alleys
3. advantages of bicycle are adaptable
Disadvantages
1. maneuverability offer little protection to the officer
2. requires training for officers
3. restricted in carrying equipments
4. weather conditions limits the use
5. difficult for one officer to drive and observe
E. Aircraft Patrol

could view (infrared and amplification) and for listening

Advantage of Aircraft Patrol
1. provide assistance and support for ground units
2. respond quickly to scenes of major incidents and could gather advance information
3. unhampered by ground traffic
4. used in search-and-rescue operations
5. assisting in pursuit
6. effective in covert surveillance
F. Canine and Horse Units
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effective in occasional crowd control, search and inspection

dogs are seldom used but encourage compliance
horses are effective likewise in crowd that officers could have
excellent view
horses are useful in mountainous terrain

H. Marine Patrol

boating accidents due to inexperience of and use of alcohol by

operators and theft of boat equipment

effective in smuggling activities and violation fishery laws and

ordinances
I. One-Man versus Two-Man Cars

one-man car is more efficient in personnel resources; others argue

that it is safer for Two-man car specially at night time
Study on One person patrol unit
a. less assaulted and frequently involved in resisting arrest
b. produce more arrest and field reports
c. generate fewer complaints
d. less expensive to operate

V.

Patrol Tactics, Strategies and Activities

A. Patrol Activities
when not handling detailed work are assigned specific task to accomplish like business
checks, tours through parks or criminal hangouts
patrol officers are independent thinkers
B. Phase of Policing
o
Preventive - refer to patrol activities aimed at deterrence;
detention, interview and conversations with citizens
o
Proactive - those that attempt to prevent crime occurring,
use of crime analysis, to see trends developing in the area and take measures to intercede
o
Reactive - efforts to respond to existing situations and try
to resolve them

C. Team Policing
officers may or may not work a set schedule of day off work with the same partner
regularly or on the same shift
D. Directed Deterrent Patrol
involves giving officers guidance how to use preventive patrol time
Categories:
1. Specific Deterrence the effect of an activity of an individual suspects
2. General effect of an activity to everyone
E. High and Low Visibility Patrol high visibility patrol OMNIPRESENCE
F. Decoy Patrol or Combat Patrol
G. Aggressive Patrol this is to make numerous traffic stops and interrogations
Terminating Pursuits
1. Boxing - surrounding the suspect vehicle with police cars and used in slow speed and
intoxicated drivers
2. Channelizing - deliberately directing a vehicle into a given path such as unpaved roadway,
dead-end or parking lot and statutory objects
3. Ramming - simply running into the other vehicle in a manner designed to force him to
stop; nudge (push) the vehicle on intersection when making maneuvers
4. Roadblocks used in rural areas with limited routes in or out of the area
5. Spikes - lower risk alternative to the roadblock
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6. Gunfire - some State allow for shooting at suspects vehicle; use only as last resort for
stopping vehicle
Rule in the Transportation of Prisoners
1. Always search the back seat of your patrol car
2. Never, ever transport any prisoner you have not personally searched for weapons
3. Never transport any prisoner who is not handcuffed behind his back
4. Always take the keys
5. Always roll up the windows and lock the doors
6. Never engage a combative or unrestrained prisoner alone
7. Never leave a hobbled (tied) prisoner alone
Circumstances when to Impound Vehicles
1. abandoned
2. obstructing traffic on bridges or highway
3. reported stolen
4. illegally parked, blocking roadway or fire hydrant
5. parked within 7-1/2 feet of a railroad truck

VI.

Patrol Supervision
A.

Command Responsibilities

1. Commanders level
o plans and preparations
o supervision
o give clear and direct instruction
o establish control measures
2. Patrol Leaders
o detail planning and preparation
o re-echo COP guidance
o prompt and accurate reporting of results
B.

Staff Responsibility
function necessary to accomplish command responsibilities in police patrolling

C.

Command and Staff Action

1. Plans and preparation
2. Police patrol orientation and training
3. Selection of patrol leaders
4. Formulation of patrol mission
5. Assignment of patrol mission
6. Orders to the patrol leaders
7. Control
8. Support. Funding, logistics
9. Supervision

Selection of Patrol Supervisors

based from the candidates profile
long exposure and background in patrol activities
or most senior middle-level Officer to lead patrol division
most senior non-commissioned Officer as platoon supervisor
Role of Police Supervisor
1. strategic planner
2. organizer
3. teacher, coach

13.
14.
15.

operational planner
staffing
motivator
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4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

counselor
leader
resource allocator
negotiator
team player
disturbance handler

16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.

leader
disciplinarian
spoke person
team builder
technical problem solver
liaison

10. entrepreneur initiate/innovate new opportunities

11. monitor know what is going on in the office
12. role model (figure head); symbol of the office
Reasons for motivating employees
personnel must dependably perform the task
people must be attracted to join the organization and remain with it
employees must surpass routine tasks and engage in innovative behavior

Developing and Motivating Subordinates

Motivation
a concept designating the factor that move human beings to achieve desired goals and
objectives
getting organization members to go to work willingly and enthusiastically (eagerness)
actions that causes someones behavior to change
General Motivation Methods
1. positive motivation providing the opportunity for satisfying personnel matters
2. negative motivation threatening punishment for inappropriate behavior
Theories / Philosophy on Motivation
1. Classical approach (traditional view)
o centers on the economic needs of the worker (money)
o research denounce this theory but still popular
o tend to be autocratic leaders with high initiation of structure and low consideration
2. Human relations approach
based on peoples social needs (to be liked and respected by peers)
distinctly democratic style
happy people are productive people
Administering Discipline and Instilling Morale
Essential element in work that ensures overall productivity and an orderly environment
The word discipline causes the problem, at times conflicting, use carefully to avoid
confusion
Used to describe an adversarial process resulting in the application of various kinds of
negative sanctions.
Refers to the state of affairs within a given organization but produces order, a shared
sense of purpose and common goal-oriented behavior.
Discipline is considered to be positive and means teaching, instruction, training and
remediation
Purpose is to facilitate collective action, the internalization of self-control based on the
norms and values of the work force

Nine Ways that can Change a Persons Attitude Without Giving Offense or Arousing
Resentment:
1. begin with praise and honest appreciation
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

call attention to the other persons mistakes indirectly

discuss personal mistakes before criticizing others
ask thoughtful questions instead of giving direct orders
always try to let the other person save face
praise, whenever possible, even the slightest improvement
give the other person a fine reputation to live up to
use encouragement and make faults seem easy to correct
make the person happy about doing what had been suggested

The Use and Abuse of Discipline

Police officers learn to fear, lose respect for and distrust those supervisors who become
entrenched in company politics, make decisions too quickly or irrationally and invoke
disciplinary measures for the slightest infractions
Officers want their supervisor to be equitable and to act in good faith when disciplining,
when those expectations failed, create matters even worse
Safe to say that there is no place for anger, revenge or retribution in the disciplinary
process (Peters and Waterman, 1982)
Illegal for supervisors to humiliate those that have been targeted for disciplinary process
and display aggression by scapegoating their employees
Morale
employees morale which may be defined as the attitude of the employee toward his
work environment

VII. Supporting the Patrol Effort

a. Police Communication System

it is the lifeblood of the organization

166 and 177, or police hotline are basic communication of the Station to the
community
b. Police Record System
o
Rogues Gallery (photo of suspects)
o
blotter
o
property book
o
clear book (list of criminal and criminal activities)
o
crime statistics, crime map, crime clock, patrol reports (foot and mobile)
c.Crime Analysis
analyze pattern of criminal activities

d. Community Service
Barangay Pulong-pulong
Attending Barangay Assembly
Neighborhood visitation
Symposium at schools
Church activities
Women and children engagement
e. Evidence and Property Control

VIII.

References

Effective Police Supervision by: Harry W. More, Ph.D.,1990

Pro-active Police Management by: Thibult, Lynch and McBribe, , 1993
Supervising Police Personnel by: Whisenand, PM and Rush, GE
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Supervisory Management by: Gregorio S. Miranda

Police Patrol Operations, Mark R.Miller, 2nd Edit., 2000

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