DEFINTION OF “BEAT”
IT REFERS TO A LEGAL
SUBDIVISION OF A
COUNTY,CORRESPONDING TO
TOWNS OR TOWNSHIPS IN OTHER
STATES.
IN LAW ENFORCEMENT SLANG, IT
HAS COME TO MEAN THE PATROL
AREA AN OFICER COVERS
WHEN ON PATROL
SPO #1- ADVANTAGES OF
FOOT PATROL
IT PROVIDES THE BEST
OPPORTUNITY FOR CLOSE
OBSERVATION OF CRIMINAL
ACTIVITY WITHIN RANGE OF
THE OFFICER
INCREASES GOOD POLICE AND
COMMUNITY INTERACTION AND
THE POTENTIAL FOR POSITIVE,
LONG LASTING RELATIONSHIPS
SPO #1- ADVANTAGES OF
FOOT PATROL
ALLOWS FOR MORE 1ST HAND
KNOWLEDGE TO BE OBTAINED
BY EXTENDING THE EYES AND
EARS OF THE DEPARTMENT
IT AFFORDS ONE OF THE MOST
EFFICIENT TECHNIQUES FOR
PATROLLING DENSELY
POPULATED OF CONGESTED
AREAS
SPO #1- ADVANTAGES OF
FOOT PATROL
PROVIDES FOR THEBEST
COVERAGE FOR ALL INSPECTIONAL
TASKS
CREATES BETTER INFORMATION
SOURCES BY REPETATIVE CONTACT
BETWEEN CITIZENS AND OFFICERS
ALLOWS OFFICER TO BECOME
MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE
PHYSICAL CHARACTORISTICS OF
THE BEAT
SPO #1- ADVANTAGES OF
FOOT PATROL
ALLOWS FOR THE OFFICER TO
ANTICIPATE AND READ
DEVELOPING CONDITIONS
BEFORE THE ACTUAL INCIDENT
OCCURS
OFFERS A DETERRENT EFFECT TO
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY BECAUSE OF
THE HIGH VISIBILITY OF THE
PATROL OFFICER
Good Places for Foot Patrols
• Apartment complexes;
• Hotel/motels;
• Liquor establishments;
• Trailer courts;
• Downtown business districts;
• Pawn shops;
• In some cases residential areas;
• City parks; and
• Public beaches
SPO #2-DISADVANTAGES OF
FOOT PATROL
IT IS EXTREMELY COSTLY FORM OF
PATROL BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED
AREA ON OFFICER CAN COVER
MOBILITY OF THE OFFICER IS
LIMITED
OFFICERS ARE MORE SUCCEPTIBLE
TO ATTACK/AMBUSH
OFFICERS RANGE IS REDUCED OR
CURTAILED BY INCLIMATE
WEATHER
SPO #2-DISADVANTAGES
OF FOOT PATROL
AMOUNT AND TYPE OF
EQUIPMENT AN OFFICER CAN
CARRY IS LIMITED
DIFFICULT TO SUPERVISE
FOOT PATROL ACTIVITIES
CAN BE NEGATIVELY RECEIVED
IF MANAGEMENT USES FOOT
PATROL AS
PUNISHMENT/DISCIPLINE
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
ON FOOT PATROL
P.O. MUST REMAIN ALERT FOR
SIGNS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
P.O. MUST MAINTAIN CONTACT
WITH THE DISPATCHER
THESE 2 POINTS CONTRIBUTE
TO OFFICER SAFETY
CONSIDERATIONS FOR
FOOT PATROL
ADVISE DISPATCH WHEN YOU ARE
OUT OF PATROL CAR AND ON FOOT
TAKE PORTABLE RADIO WITH YOU
IF AVAILABLE
DEVELOPE CONTACTS WITH
MERCHANTS AND OTHER
BUSINESSES IN YOUR AREA
CONSIDERATIONS FOR
NIGHTTIME PATROL
ADVISE DISPATCHER THAT YOU ARE
OUT OF YOU CAR AND ON FOOT
TAKE PORTABLE RADIO IF
AVAILABLE
PHYSICALLY CHECK CLOSED
BUSINESSES FOR SIGNS OF
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
WHEN CHECKING BUILDINGS,
AVOID UNNECESSARY NOISE IN
ORDER TO AVOID ALERTING
SUSPECTS
WHEN CHECKING BARS
DURING YOUR PATROL, IF YOU
SEE A PLAINCLOTHES OR
UNDER COVER OFFICER, DO
NOT SPEAK TO THEM UNLESS
SPOKEN TO FIRST
OFFICER MAY BE WORKING
UNDER COVER AND YOUR
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT MAY
CREAT A LIFE THREATENING
SITUATION FOR HIM OR YOU
DO NOT ESTABLISH A
PATTERN OF FOOT PATROL
IF YOU DISCOVER AN OPEN
DOOR OR OTHER SUSPICIOUS
ACTIVITY, BACK OFF AND
REQUEST ASSISTANCE
DO NOT CHECK ALONE
IF YOU OBSERVE A
SUSPICIOUS
ACTIVITY/SUSPECT, APPROACH
WITH CAUTION