Western mindanao state university

external studies unit

pagadian city

INSTUCTOR : Angelito S. Suero, R. Crim.

TOPIC : POLICE PATROL PLANS AND OPERATION (LEA 103)

INTRODUCTION

A Police department is organized first and foremost for crime prevention. In any Police Department,
the patrol force is the single largest operating element. It is considered the “BACKBONE” as well as the
“CORE” OR “HEART” of the Police Organization.

HISTORY OF PATROL

The history of Patrol is an old organized society. Man first attempts to protect himself and his family
involved barricading the entrance to his cave.

The word “POLICE” originated from the Greek word “POLITEIA” meaning government or a city. It
applied to civil officers and not necessarily policemen. The Romans changed the word slightly to “POLITIA”.
The French changed the word to ‘POLICE” and applied to those persons who actually enforced the law.

PATROL came from the French word “PATROUILLER” meaning to go through puddles or roughly to
travel on foot.

The Egyptian was the first people to used Police Dogs on Patrol. They also invented the lock.

The Police were called “MEDJAY” and although they were civilians, an Egyptian military officer headed
them.

In the middle ages, (a period from 5th century A.D to about 1350) a system of mutual protection was
developed called the “FRANKPLEDGE”.

In England this system of mutual protection reached an early development as each petty kingdom
was divided into shires or countries. Each shire was the responsibility of a “REEVE” who in turn was
responsible to the king of law and order in his respective district. This responsibility often endowed, this officer
with wide powers. The Shire Reeve was a latter called the “SHERIFF”.

At the end of the 12th Century (1195) King Richard issued a proclamation entitled “KEEPING OF
THE PEACE”. This document required the appointment of knights to keep the King’s Peace. They often did this
by standing guard at the bridges and gates and checking on people entering and leaving the town.

Near the Middle of the 18th Century (1748), Henry Fielding became Chief Magistrate at Bow Street in
London. He organized the “BOW STREET RUNNERS” or sometimes called the “THIEF TAKERS”.

In 1829, Sir Robert Peel England’s home secretary formed the Metropolitan Police.

Seeking at least a partial solution to the problem. Robert Peel introduced into parliament “An Act of
Improving the Police in the near future, the Metropolitan Police Act”

At the end of the 18th Century (1791), the position of “OFFICERS DEPAEX” was formed (the origin of
our present term “PEACE OFFICER”).

By the early part of 18th Century, the “NIGHT WATCH” was well established in towns and cities.

The New York organized the first American Modern Police Force in 1844 based on England
Metropolitan Police System.

PATROL DEFINED:

Patrol - is a systematic observation and examination of people, places and things for the purpose of
furnishing protection.

FIVE PRIMARY ACTIVITIES OF PATROL:

1. Observation
2. Apprehension
3. Deterrent effect or preventive patrol
 4. Assistance to the public
5. Encouragement of safe driving practices by example

PATROL OPERATIONS PERFORMED - the most basic police operation.

It has been said that patrol operations are the backbone of the police department, the most
important component in any police organization, not only because it is the largest, but because patrol is in
direct contact with the public and presents the omnipresence of the police in the community.

The basic functions of Police Patrol that should adhered by the patrol services are as follows:

1. Preventive enforcement – This will prevent crime through noticeable presence of uniformed policemen.
2. Selective enforcement – Although highly mobile it cannot cover all areas, hence patrol to selectively
concentrate will trouble is likely to occur or conduct patrol in crime prone areas where usually crime
incidents transpired.
3. Traffic enforcement – this refers to proper implementation of traffic laws, rules and regulation along
highways or any major thoroughfares to control the mobility of vehicles and pedestrian.
4. Responding to emergency calls for service – The patrol force being the backbone and front liner of the
police service usually the first at the scene, such as in an emergency of fire, accident, drowning,
attempted suicide and riots , etc. This requires special training in first AID Leadership.
5. Routine calls for service – Responding to complaint either through the phone, in person or in writing or
any other mains.
6. Courtesy service – The reason for this, is the fact that the main purpose of Police agency is for public
service.
Example: Assisting a blind a blind person cross the streets;
: Providing Police escorts to VIP’s.
7. General information – Assisting a tourist in locating a friend.
8. Preservation of evidence – Protecting the crime scene before formal investigation is done.
9. Making reports – Gathering and reporting information regarding criminal activities, missing person,
recovered articles, etc.

Different types of Patrol

1. Foot Patrol
The foot patrol is the most expensive type of patrol and most departments have reduced
their foot patrols to a minimum because of this. However, it does have certain advantages that warrant
it continues used if even on limited basis.
Most patrols are assigned to a particular area called “BEAT”; and they are referred to as
“BEAT PATROLS”. The sized of the beat is determined by;
a) The type of area to be patrolled.
b) The type of criminal activity that occurs in that area.
c) The frequency (regularity) of crime in the area.

ADVANTAGES OF THE FOOT PATROL BEAT:

a) The foot patrolman can provide immediate traffic control when it is needed.
b) More person-to-person contact can be made with public.
c) The officer can actually get to know the physical layout of his beat better.
d) He can get to know the people on his beat better and can developed criminal informants easier.
e) A foot officer can sneak up on a situation, where a patrol car easily noticed when it approach.
f) By the use of new transistorized handheld radios, the officer can maintain communication with
the department and mobile units.

2. BICYCLE PATROL
The Manila Police District once introduced the bicycle in 1939 to augment the foot patrol
coverage parks and residential areas. This type of patrol has been used in many countries as simple
and inexpensive means of silent transfortation to carry patrol officers throughout their patrol
district. Bicycle patrolling was abandoned because it was then considered hazardous.

ADVANTAGES:
a) It can covers areas that are not accessible by cars or are too wide to be patrolled on foot.
b) It has the combination advantages of mobility and stealth because the bicycle can be operated
very quietly without attracting attention.
c) It is found to be highly effective in combating theft, burglary, and vandalism in residential
areas, parks and shopping malls.
 d) Plain-clothes patrol officer uses it for surveillance in high crime areas effectively uses it also
where in the officer wears non-descript clothes to blend with the apparel commonly worn by
criminals and hoodlums.
e) It is inexpensive to operate.
3. Horse patrol – Horses may be used for certain patrol problems in jurisdiction that contain large park
areas or similar places where automobiles either cannot go or may be forbidden. Mobile patrol cars
cannot be expected to race horse fields or wooden areas but horses provide best mobility in those
situations.
4. Motorcycle patrol – primarily used for traffic control and enforcement, there speed and
maneuverability make them indispensable police vehicles.
5. Automobile Patrol – The mobile patrol is the most extensively (widely) used and the most effective
means of transportation for police patrol. Equipped with the latest kinds of Police gear, it provides a
rapid, safe and efficient means of transportation under average operating conditions.
The automobile is less than sixty years old. These are cases of the use of automobiles by police
departments as early as 1904, but they were not used for patrol.
The Indianapolis Police Department started to replace drew “paddy wagon” (police transport
vehicle - a van or truck used by the police to transport suspects or criminals) with automobile in 1904.
The 1st automobile patrol was introduced on May 17, 1954 by the Manila Police Department.
Police Major (Police Chief Inspector) Isaias Alma Jose organized the first mobile patrol
bureau and became the first chief (head of the organization).
A sector is the area of patrol responsibility covered by a mobile car.

ADVANTAGES OF AUTOMOBILE PATROL:

a. When speed and mobility are needed such as in large area that must be covered by few officers, the
speed of the automobile allows them to service the whole area and do so efficiently.
b. It is one of the best means of preventive enforcement.
c. It offers the officer protection.
d. It permits officer to carry extra equipment.
e. The patrol car allows the police officer to have a partner when needed and to transport one or
several prisoners.
f. In the case of station wagons, which are becoming quite popular as patrol vehicles, they can used to
carry police dogs on patrol, and can be used as emergency ambulances when disaster occurs.
g. Patrol vehicles can be used as barricade in roadblocks, as they also offer a higher degree of safety
during high-speed pursuit.

6. Marine Patrol – is more sufficient in patrolling in the bodies of water. They used as a back-up in
combating smugglers that will enter in the country and for possible apprehension of illegal fishing.

7. Aircraft Patrol

ADVANTAGES:

a. Reduces response time for police service as compared with the automobile.
b. The ability to observe and assist regular police personnel on the ground.
c. The responsibility of rooftop surveillance, and in the case of helicopter landing almost anywhere.
d. Effective routine searches of extensive coastline or waterways.
e. Finding the rescuing lost children and missing persons and its use as back up to individual involve in
hazardous or potentially hazardous investigation on control situations.

8. Canine Patrol – A detector dog unit of Police Department, use of dog to sniff out illegal contraband
from suspects vehicles, home and use also for inspection of luggage at airport, IBT/PUJ Terminals, Airport,
seaports and in any convergence area or Economic Key Points (EKPs) where people usually meets such as
parks, malls, etc.
ADVANTAGES OF CANINE PATROL
1. Their excellent of smell and these will properly detect a person that could be discovered an officer.
2. They are fast and agent; they are good protection to an officer by preventing and preparing
attacts.
3. They can hold an offender while the officers search a second person.
4. They are useful in handling riots, because more people have fear in dog.
5. They can race escaping offenders.
DISADVANTAGES:
1. They are costly.
2. There is considerable inconvenience in training, housing and maintaining of those.
3. Their duties are limited.
 9. Fixed surveillance – although not a means of transportation, it must not be overlooked as a type of
patrol. Usually accomplished either in person, with the used of television cameras or monitors, or stop
frame photography, which make it possible for the police to watch several location at the viewing devices.
Various types of listening and viewing devices are not being used to supplement routine patrol in line with
the concept proactive patrol.
10. Plainclothes or Felony Car Patrol – Used to patrol in high crime areas where a low profile is required.
Also used extensively on stake out duty where officer wait for a crime to happen, and then attempt to
arrest offenders.

POLICE BEAT
Patrol forces are assigned to the areas called “BEATS”, hence, BEAT PATROL sized of beat is
determined by:

1. The type of area to be patrolled whether a business area, a farming area, residential, recreational,
etc.;
2. Type of criminal activity occurring in the area;
3. Frequency (rate of recurrence) of crime in that area;
4. Other factors.

PATROL BEAT
1. Area beat – This is the geographical area that is assigned to a patrol officer and his responsibility is
to conduct patrol to that particular area during his tour of duty/shift. The area beat may be consisting
of small residential areas, business section, recreational areas, industrial areas and perhaps some open
areas.

2. Line Beat – are primarily used by traffic enforcement officer or patrol officers assigned to periodic
traffic enforcement officer during peak traffic periods. A line beat officer assumes his responsibility by
working the main traffic arterials, back and forth, in an attempt to prevent traffic accidents and enforce
vehicles code laws. He is also there to assist motorist with direction and other public and safety
services.

THECHNIQUES OF PATROL
1. ZIGZAG – It is used for maximum close coverage in residential and business area, and to be available for
call, during general routine patrol periods.
2. QUADRANT – It is used by breaking the beats into smaller section, then patrolling one beat after another
using any patrol pattern most applicable to a particular beat. In using any methods, the mean
emphasis is omnipresence (found everywhere).
3. CLOVERLEAF – The area is divided into four quarters. As you drive your patrol beat, you will form
a leaf of a clover. The objective is to be present in the areas where violation and crimes are
likely to occur. The pattern will depend whether there are one or two officers patrolling,
whether overlapping cars or back-up cars are covering the same beat; and on whether
portions of the area are being patrolled by foot patrol or cycle patrol.
4. Area beat
5. Line Beat

PATROL STRATEGIES
Depending upon the factors influencing the crime situation. Strategies like walking the beats, mobile
patrol or a combination thereof.

This matter is dependent upon the following:

1. Resources available;
2. The particular crime problem in an area;
3. Characteristics of citizens; and the population;
4. Cooperative effort of the police and the citizens in bringing about a peaceful community;
5. Training and orientation of both police and the citizens in crime fighting.

WALKING THE BEAT AS FOOT PATROL

Strategy ensures Police Presence.
This should be done using different patterns at the same time maintain a high constant visibility as
deterrence to crime. The patrol patterns are:
1. Clockwise pattern;
2. Counter clockwise pattern;
3. Zigzag or free wheeling pattern;
4. Straight way and cress-cross pattern;
5. Irregular pattern.
 Two man on foot patrol commonly known as “BUDDY-BUDDY SYSTEM” walk the beats nos. 1, 2,
3, etc. insures visibility. They should be fully equipped with firearms, two-way radios or cell phones, flashlight,
etc.

THE PRINCIPLE AND IMPORTANCE OF OMNIPRESENCE

As deterrence a twenty four (24) hour actual physical police presence in guarding a community is the
best patrol strategy of whatever type of patrol. This was the challenge raised by the media when three (3)
business establishment (not to mentioned others) were robbed one after other in just less than twenty four
(24) hours leaving seven (7) dead.

As a patrol strategy, an impression of omnipresence (presence of police officer everywhere) is

created by frequent and conspicuous patrol at every hour and in all section of the community. In this way,
patrol will be effective in its goal of preventing crime and arresting criminals. Must be constantly alert at all
times, establishing high visibility before the eye of the public. This in turn will psychologically result in the
following:

1. A feeling of security on the part of law-abiding citizen.

2. A feeling of fear on the part of the would be violator.
3. A feeling of confidence that the police constantly on guard and are available to respond to any
situation at a moment’s notice.
4. A feeling that all is well within the community

MOBILE PATROL CONCEPT

This type of patrol shall be flexible in matters of deployment. Radio cars shall be used exclusively for
patrol purpose and shall be allocated to areas according to:
1. Volume of crime incidence;
2. Need for Police service;
3. Prevalence of hazards;
4. Density of residents population.

PROACTIVE PATROL AND REACTIVE PATROL

In one aspect, all patrol efforts may be viewed as either proactive or reactive patrol.
Proactive patrols are those activities that attempt to prevent crime from occurring (by increasing
the number of Police Integrated Patrol System - PIPS Operation). Police Community Relation (PCR)
activities has a great counterpart in crime prevention, like involvement of OPLAN BAYANIHAN, Feeding
Program, Dental Mission, etc).
Reactive Patrols waiting for call to respond to an existing situations and try to resolve the crime
(legal matters, by conducting investigation in order to prosecute the criminals to give justice to the
offended party.)

THE NEIGHBORHOOD TEAM POLICE – community interaction for crime prevention and peace and order.

In this concept, both Police and the Public are partner allies in Police work, but this is attained only
through good Police Community Public Relation where both citizen and Police are supportive to each other.
The Team Policing originated from Aberdeen, Scotland shortly after the World War II.
Both of the preceding benefits may also lead to higher morale among the officers working a team and
therefore higher productivity. A certain level of competition may develop among the team.

HIGH VISIBILTIY PATROL

The theory underlying the high visibility patrol concept is that certain types of crimes can be
reduced by increasing the “Aura of Police Omnipresence” in the community. This is effectively accomplished by
the walking beats or foot patrol officers in congested downtown business area.
Another strategy of high visibility patrol is the saturation concept wherein selected areas of the city is
saturated by intensive patrol of clearly marked police corn equipped with two way radios.

LOW VISIBILITY PATROL

Low visibility patrol is a strategy wherein members of the police force in plainclothes conducting
patrol by foot or using unmarked automobile in a crime prone areas where crime usually happened.
Under the low visibility patrol set-up, the primary purpose of patrol is no longer crime prevention but
crime repression, wherein the objectives are:
1. The increase apprehension of criminals engaged in selected street crimes;
2. The deterrence of criminal activity as a result of a greater probability of apprehension.
THE ROLE OF PATROL SERVICES IN THE ALLIED RELATED ASPECTS OF POLICE WORK
The patrol personnel must be trained and properly oriented on the following:
1. Field note taking and crime scene recording
2. Identification and description of persons and property
3. Stopping of vehicles and control of occupants
4. Use of personnel protective weapons and survival
5. Court duties and demeanor (court appearance)

EXAMPLES OF PATROL ACTIONS

Foot patrol of streets, alleys and public places to prevent and suppress crimes and preserve peace; to
protect life, property and enforce laws and ordinances. Interview suspicious persons for any violations they
may have committed and if found positive, it will be investigated. Arrest Offender’s in accordance with law.
In matters of public gatherings, patrol shall provide security and control unruly persons and any
disturbance of the public gatherings. Perform miscellaneous field services like assistance to disabled persons,
guidance to tourist, caring and contacting parents/relatives of lost children, directing and controlling traffic for
both motorist and pedestrians when necessary as well as assisting co-officer in the performance of police
functions.

POLICE PLANS AND OPERATIONS

Police operations demand skill and careful planning to ensure accomplishment of objectives and
mission.

Planning may mean:

1. Process of combining all aspects of public safety activity and the anticipation of future problems,
the analysis of strategy and the correlation of strategy to deal with situation.
2. Used of rational design for public safety undertaking.
3. Act of determining and formulating policies and guidelines for police operations and providing
controls and safeguards for such operations.

RESPONSIBILITY IN PLANNING
Planning shall be the responsibility of the Public Safety Bureau Chiefs. In the Philippine National
Police, the Directors for Plans shall be responsible for planning on the National Level and overseas planning
from Regional District, Provincial to City and Municipal levels. The Directors at each level of command
shall be responsible for establishing Internal Operational Policies to achieve objectives and missions. This
requires a clear definition of work on “what is to be done, who is to do it and how it is to be done”.
They shall be responsible for planning, organizing, directing, staffing, coordinating, controlling, reporting
and budgeting for their respective units within existing policies and available resources.

Definition of terms:
1. Management defined as the use of people and other resources to accomplish objectives.
2. Organizing is the process of obtaining and arranging people and physical resources to carry out plans and
accomplish organizational objectives.
3. Controlling defined as the continual analysis and measurement of actual operations against the established
standards developed during the planning process.
4. Planning can be defined as the process by which managers set objectives, asses the future, and develop
courses of action designed to accomplish organization objectives.
5. Leading can be defined as the act of motivating or causing people to perform certain tasks intended to
achieve specific objectives.
6. Values a set of principle and beliefs of the organization.
7. Vision the dream or the aspiration of the organization.
8. Mission the organization’s purpose.
9. Goal the desired target of the organization.

Enumerated are the three (3) categories of Standing Plans:

a. Policies – general guidelines for decision making. It is the parameters within which decision must be
made.
b. Procedures – guides to action that specify in detail the manner in which activities are to be performed.
c. Rules – statements of actions that must be taken or not taken in a given situations. Rules serve as a
Give the four (4) elements of planning:
1. A goal – What do you want to attain?
2. Course of action – How would you reach your goal?
3. Implementing group – Who is tasked to do the actions?
4. Resources needed – What is needed to accomplish?

TYPES OF POLICE PLANS

The head of a unit shall be responsible for planning and develop plans relating to:
1. Policies or procedures
2. Tactics
3. Operations
4. Extra –activities
5. Management

A. POLICY OR PROCEDURAL PLAN. Standard operating procedures shall be planned to guide members in
accordance with the following procedures:
1. Field procedures – Procedures used in all situations of all kinds that shall be outline as a
guide to officers and men in the field. Procedures that relate to dispatching to raids, arrest,
stopping suspicious persons, receiving complaints touring beat, and the investigation of crimes,
etc. The used of physical force and clubs, restraining devices, firearms, tear gas, and the like
shall in dealing with groups or individual, also be outlined.
2. Headquarters procedures – include the duties of the dispatcher, jailer, matron and other
personnel concerned which may be reflected in the duty manual.
3. Special Operating Procedures – certain special operations also necessitate the preparation
of procedures as guides. Included are the operation of special unit charged with searching and
preservation of physical evidence at the crime scene and accidents, the control of licenses,
dissemination of information about wanted persons, inspection of the police headquarters and
the like.
B. Tactical Plans – these are procedures for coping with specific situations at known location. Included are
plans for dealing with an attack against buildings with alarm systems and against the police
headquarters by lawless elements.
C. Operational Plans – these are plans for the operation of special divisions like the patrol, detective, traffic,
vice and juvenile control divisions. Operational plans are prepared to accomplish primary police
tasks. For example, patrol activities must be plan, the police force must be distributed among the
shifts and territorially among beats, in proportion to the needs of the police service.
D. Extra Office Plans – are plans that continuously seek to motivate, promote, and maintain an active public concern in
its affairs. It shall be made to organized the community to assist in the accomplishment of objectives in the
fields of traffic control, organized crime and juvenile delinquency prevention. (This can be done thru Police
Community Relation Activities)
E. Management Plans – are plans in the organization relating to budget, accounting, personnel,
specifications and the organization itself.

EXECUTION OF PLANS
Once plans are made, it shall be implemented and the results therefore evaluated accordingly.
Operations in the police force shall be directed by the police director in order to attain the following
functions or responsibilities, same holds true the other bureaus:
1. Protection of persons and property;
2. Preservation of peace and order;
3. Prevention of crime;
4. Repression or suppression of criminals;
5. Apprehension of criminals;
6. Enforcement of laws;
7. Safeguarding of public health;
8. Prompt execution of warrants; and
9. Coordination and cooperation with other law enforcement agencies.

ANGELITO S. SUERO, R. Crim.

Crim. Instructor