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Definition of Patrol

  • Derived from the French word "PATROUILER" meaning to travel on foot or go through paddles.

  • Patrol refers to the action of keeping watch over an area by regularly walking or travelling through it.

Patrol Functions

1. Crime Prevention

  • Proactive deterrence to prevent crimes from occurring.

2. Law Enforcement

  • Reactive measures to enforce laws once a crime has occurred.

3. Order Maintenance

  • Ensuring security in public areas and maintaining peace.

4. Social Services

  • Providing support and welfare to the community.

Patrol Activities and Purposes

  • Crime Detection and Prevention: Actively looking for criminal activities.

  • Apprehension of Criminals: Arresting offenders and wanted suspects.

  • Data and Information Collection: Gathering necessary data for reports.

  • Traffic Control: Enforcing traffic laws and ensuring road safety.

  • Public Assistance: Offering help to the public in various situations.

  • Peace Keeping: Maintaining order during events or incidents.

  • Conflict Resolution: Addressing disputes to prevent escalation.

  • Property Protection: Safeguarding property within the patrol area.

History of Patrol

Origins in the United States

  • Boston (1636): First Night Watch was established.

  • Philadelphia (1833): Instituted first paid daytime police service.

  • New York (1834): Created first modern police force based on English Metropolitan Police System.

  • 1920s: Emergence of automobile patrol and radio communications.

European Patrol History

  • London (1842): Established first detective branch.

  • Ancient Greece: Used publicly owned slaves for police tasks.

  • Medieval England: Utilized a system of tithing for law enforcement.

  • Spain: Emergence of brotherhoods for policing activities.

  • France (1667): Formation of first modern police force under King Louis XIV.

Patrol in the Philippines

  • Metropolitan Police Force (1901): Established as the police for Manila.

  • Evolutions in the structure of police departments over the years.

  • 1990s: Formation and evolution into the Western Police District and later various designations of patrol organization.

Importance of Police Patrol

  • Visibility: Patrols are the most visible police activity, which helps deter crime.

  • Public Perception: Patrol officers' actions heavily influence public views on police effectiveness.

  • First line of defense: Considered as the first occurrence of crime prevention measures.

Fundamental Objectives of Police Patrol

  1. Crime Prevention: Direct contact with the community to deter crime.

  2. Law Enforcement: Neutral enforcement of laws with recognition of intent.

    • Preventive Enforcement: Presence deterring crime through visible patrols.

    • Selective Enforcement: Focus on high crime areas to enhance security.

    • Traffic Enforcement: Specific focus on traffic laws in patrol duties.

  3. Preservation of Peace: Maintaining public order as a primary police responsibility.

  4. Crime Investigation: First responders conduct initial investigations upon arrival at crime scenes.

  5. Emergency Services: Handling emergencies and responding swiftly to calls for assistance.

  6. Community Services: Providing aid in situations beyond law enforcement.

Classes of Patrol Activities

  • Called-for Service: Immediate police action for incidents.

  • Inspectional Service: Routine inspections to minimize criminal opportunities.

  • Routine Patrol: General surveillance aimed at preventing crime through engagement.

Factors Affecting Patrol Operations

  • Size and shape of areas under patrol; deployment effectiveness; community trust; crime rates; etc.

  • Police-to-Population Ratio: National standards (1:500) vs. minimum acceptable (1:1000).

Distribution of Patrol Forces

  • Geographical Distribution: Assessing areas with high crime rates and assigning resources accordingly.

  • Walking Beats: Ensuring comprehensive coverage of community areas on foot.

  • Motor Patrol: Adjusting patrol units based on time and location of crime.

Post Assignments in Patrol

  1. Regular Posts: Assigning officers to familiar locations brings advantages in relation to community interaction but may induce complacency.

  2. Shift/Post Rotation: Variety in assignments aids in broader experience but can impede specialization and create irregular habits.

Types of Police Hazards

  • Persons: Includes groups that pose a higher risk for illegal activities (e.g., delinquents, alcoholics).

  • Property: Locations such as banks, warehouses, which are prone to criminal activity.

  • Places: Gatherings and areas known for public occurrence of crime.