Police Responsibilities and Purpose of Patrol

What are the four categories of police responsibilities?

Maintaining peace/order; apprehending law violators and fighting crime; crime prevention; and providing social services.

Why is patrol called the backbone of policing?

Patrol officers deliver much of the police service and are major decision-makers

What are two unique dimensions of patrol?

Patrol delivers the bulk of police services and may be staffed by the department’s least experienced officers

What are the three purposes of patrol?

Deter crime, enhance feelings of public safety, and make officers available for service

What does “impression of omnipresence” mean?

Visible patrol can create the impression that police are present everywhere, helping deter crime.

How can patrol enhance public safety?

By reducing fear of crime and increasing feelings of safety.

What does “the house call” refer to?

Making officers available to respond to calls for service

What is preventive/random patrol?

Patrol with no fixed pattern, emphasizing visibility; it is simple and reassuring but has little crime impact.