Police patrol relates to monitoring of specific geographical areas by police officers. This is achieved through movement within the specified area at regular periods looking for any indications of crime or breach of peace. Patrols are usually conducted by uniformed officers (Ortmeier, 2006). Even though it is not readily highlighted, police patrol may be regarded as the backbone of police work (Stering, 2004). Accordingly, police patrol plays a key role in law enforcement.
There are about eight types of patrols. The first type is foot patrol; this is the precursor to all patrols and is the most readily used. It involves an officer walking around the designated area. This kind of patrol is efficient in terms of bolstering police – community relationship. This is because the patrol officer interacts actively with the community setting the stage for future cooperation. It is however ineffective where the officer has to cover a wide area, they might get tired or fail to cover the area in time. Similarly, it is ineffective in instances where a criminal utilizes a vehicle.
The second type is vehicular patrol. This is done through police cars cruising around the specified area. This type is very effectual in covering vast areas as well as pursuing fleeing suspects. The car also enables the officers to carry all relevant equipment for the job. The disadvantage of this patrol is that it tends to discount small areas or places without road access. Similarly, its conspicuous nature hampers blending in thus giving early warning to suspects.
The third type is bicycle patrol, which utilizes bicycles to conduct the patrol. The effectiveness of this patrol is that it offers the advantages of foot patrol and at the same time addresses the demerits of vehicular patrol. The disadvantages of this patrol are that it deprives the officer the ability to carry necessary equipment and also is ineffective where suspects use vehicles to flee. The fourth type is motorcycle patrol. This is similar to bicycle patrol. It however provides additional speed. Its demerits are that it increases the chances of injury to the officer and is ineffective in inauspicious weather conditions, for example on a rainy day.
The fifth type is mounted patrol, where an officer patrols on mount a horse. It provides speed and agility enabling the officer to respond rapidly to trouble. It also is efficient for controlling crowds. It is however ineffective in terms of limited equipment, inability to pursue vehicles, and limited access to patrol areas. Additionally, the officer has to cater for the needs of the horse, which might constrain the ability to cover great areas.
The sixth type is air patrol; it utilizes aircrafts to conduct patrols. It is provides the ability to cover wide areas in a short time. It is also effective for pursuits, medical emergencies, and search and rescue. Additionally, it can be used at any time irrespective of the weather. Its disadvantages are that it limits the officer’s ability to patrol secluded areas such as tunnels and underground parking lots, and the opportunity to respond on the crime instantly.
The seventh type is marine patrol. This utilizes watercraft to patrol waterways and seas (Ortmeier, 2006). It is effective in such areas as it provides speed and space for equipment. It is however ineffective if the suspects flee to the land. Similarly, it is may be ineffective in shootouts with suspects as a single bullet may wreck havoc. The eighth and final type is canine (K9) patrol, which utilizes trained dogs to conduct patrols. This type is very effective in search operations owing to the dog’s advanced sense of scent (Berg, 1999). It is usually effectively combined with foot patrol. Similarly, it is efficient in subduing suspects to prevent use of lethal means. The disadvantage of this patrol is that it is quite expensive to train the officer and the dog and also to maintain the dog.
References
Berg, B. L. (1999). Policing in Modern Society MA: Butterworth- Heinemann. Print.
Hess, K. M. (2009). Introduction to Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice CA: Wadsworth,
Cengage Learning. Print.
Ortmeier, P. J. (2006). Introduction to law enforcement and criminal justice (2nd ed.). Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. Print.
Stering, R. (2005). Police Officer’s Handbook: An Introductory Guide MA: Jones and Bartlett
Publishers. Print.
