ZIMBABWE REPUBLIC POLICE ACADEMY

An associate college of the University of Zimbabwe

DEPARTMENT OF UNDERGRADUATE LEGAL STUDIES

ASSIGNMENT MARK FORM

SECTION A
NAME : R/CST KAKOWA
STUDENT NUMBER : 089057A
PROGRAMME : CERTIFICATE IN POLICE STUDIES
MODULE NAME : COUNTER INSURGENCE
MODULE CODE : FC109
LECTURER : A/I MUCHIRAHONDO
DUE DATE : 14/03/2022

ASSIGNMENT QUESTION

SECTION B
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

DATE RECEIVED:.................................DATE
MARKED:................................................................

MARKER’S COMMENTS
…………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………

MARK AWARDED:................................... MARKER’S

SIGNATURE:............................................

TO STUDENT: PLEASE COMPLETE SECTION ‘A’ IN DUPLICATE AND ATTACH

BOTH COPIES TO THE ASSIGNMENT. THE TOP COPY WILL BE RETURNED TO
YOU WITH THE MARKER’S COMMENTS AND GRADE, ATTACHED TO YOUR
ASSIGNMENT.
You are part of the team of 10 police officers who are navigating an area with
concentrated forest and rough terrain. Amongst your team are 5 new members
who are familiar with coin operations.

1a) With the aid of a diagram, explain to them a suitable patrol formations. (10
marks)

There are two types of patrol formations to be adopted against forestry and terrain
area which are single file formation and open formation when moving during a
surveillance for effective offensive action.

Single file formation

a) The gap between the 2nd scout and section leader is more
than 5 yards but should be less than 15 yards.

b) The function of the 1st detail/lead scout is to observe the

country through which he is leading his patrol. The 2 nd
detail /2nd scout is there to give the lead scout support.

c) The section leader occupies the 3 rd position. He is

responsible for the overall control of the group and this
responsibility includes such duties as selection of the base
camp, navigation, sitting sentries, alertness of the group,
physical condition of his men, allocation of arcs of
responsibility, every function which affects the welfare of
his man and efficiency of his patrol and behind the section
leader is the 4th member of the group whose function is to
supports the section leader. The last man is responsible
for the protection of the section’s rear.

The prominent feature of this patrol is the gap between the

2nd scout and the section leader. The purpose of this gap is; to
prevent the section from bunching and thereby making
themselves a better target, to facilitate the breaking up of the
section into skirmishing teams, to give as much depth as is
practical, without the loss of control in the event of an
ambush.
Each member covers an arch of fire allocated to him by the
section leader, who has no particular arc of fire, but keeps a
general all-round look out including checking the alertness
and fitness of his men.
 Allocation of arcs of fire ensures that there is no duplication of
observation in one area at the expense of other areas which
may considerably be neglected.

5m 5m 15m
nd st
Rear guard Rifle man Section leader 2 scout 1 scout
Direction of
Patrol

2b) Equip the 5 new members with general information to be

observed whilst patrolling. (10)

 The objective of the patrol is not to get from point A to B

in the fastest possible time. A suggested maximum speed
is 2miles per hour.
 Rest should be taken when necessary to maintain the full
efficiency of the patrol.
 Whenever the patrol halts, every man will freeze unless he
is given some other signals. If the halt is routine, each
man lies or kneels in or under suitable cover.
 When the section leader orders a stop for a rest or for a
navigation check, he must ensure that the patrol takes up
a position of all round defense with each detail under
cover facing outwards and alert.
 If contact is expected, it is good policy for the section
leader to frequently stop his patrol, even as much as once
in every 10-15mins in order to look and listen.
 Avoid at all times the tendency to bunch whilst on the
move.
  Noisy items of equipment must be silenced and talking
must be cut to minimum or silent signals should be used.
 Disposal of all rubbish is also of vital importance. Whilst
spoor can be obliterated in a few days, sweet papers
cigarette stubs, matches, tins take far long to disappear.
Hence they should be properly disposed off otherwise they
will leave a trail which is easy to follow.
 Rifles to be carried at ready position and sling be
removed. Weapons and magazine will be cleaned daily,
one man at a time.
 Never approach an RV (rendezvous) directly, whether it’s
a house, vehicle or prearranged site. A 360 degree patrol
must first be carried out after which two members of the
patrol will go to the RV with the rest of the patrol in a
position to give them covering fire.
 No smoking on the march.
 Anything unusual, heard or seen by any member must be
reported at once. E.g. motor vehicle, boats, spoor,
campsite, voices, rubbish on the trail.
 When crossing obstacles (water, roads, open places etc)
always have part of the section in a position to give
covering fire, while others cross.
 Anticipate likely ambush positions and try to outflank
them.
 Do not drink on the march unless you come to water.
Always carry full water les at all times.
 Be alert all times, if anyone looks tired or is walking with
his head down he is not observing, halt and rest until he
has recovered.
 Know the man in your section and work together as a well
trained team, discipline is important for the safety of the
patrol; orders must be carried out without any question.
Any queries can be raised at O’ groups.
A de-briefing on the day’s activities, and briefing for the following
day’s work, should be held by section leader. These should be held
at midday when an attack is least likely

 Explain the sequence of establishing a base and the principles to be

followed.
 Selection of the site to be done by the section leader
 He indicates 12 O’clock position
 Section/details move into indicated positions according to
the clock system and make contact to sections/details to
their right/ left.
 Local security patrol is sent out to clear the area within
hearing distance of the base
 Whilst local patrol is out the Section Leader goes around
the camp making such adjustments as necessary.
 When the local patrol returns the Section Leader holds an
‘O’ group at which orders are given relative to the following
points;
- Sentries, password, stand to, stand down, alarm skims,
- Routine of the next day,
- Maintenance of weapons,
- Water,
- Cooking, fires and smoking,
- Latrines.

Administration of a Base
The following points on the administration of a base are
particularly important when the site is being occupied for a
protracted period;
 Latrines
 Disposal of refuse- all refuse to be buried properly and not
merely have soil kicked on it. If food containers are burned
before burial scavengers are less inclined to dig them up.
Tins should be punctured to render them useless.
 Water purification
 Cooking- cooking in pairs has many advantages

Duties of a sentry
 It is a fundamental rule in COIN patrolling that the patrol
or section must have adequate protection at all times
 At all times a lookout must be detailed and his sole
responsibility is the safety and security of the group.
 Whilst moving every man in the group has his arc for which
he is responsible.
 The fact that a sentry is on duty does not absolve the other
members of the group from remaining alert and prepared
to deal with any sudden emergency; except of cause when
man are sleeping in a night base.
 The number of sentries on duty at any one time will vary
with the size of the group and the circumstances prevailing
at the time.
 It is the responsibility of the section leader to appoint
sentries and to ensure that all duties are evenly shared.
The section leader must also perform his share of sentry
duty.
 The following points must be covered-

Position of sentries
a) Daylight -To see without being seen and be able to
communicate with the section
b) By night - At their bed space, but out of the sleeping bag
 Arrangements in the event of an alarm
 Disposition of friendly forces in the area.
 Action on approach of friendly forces.

Sentries to observe the following;

 Remain alert and awake
 Do not move around- movement will be seen and heard; a
moving sentry will not be able to lessen properly and at
night more is heard than seen.
 Allowing no smoking or fires.
 Stop any snoring among the section
 If suspicious of anything alert the section.
 Make sure the relief is properly awake before turning in.
 Night sentries must appreciate that while on duty the
safety of the whole section depends on them.
 Se without being seen.
 Notice detail
 Make complete conclusions from observation