O.P.O.T.A. BASIC ACADEMY

1
Officer Richard Neil
8-2 Foot Patrol
2
(No Transcript)
3
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

4
(No Transcript)
5
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

6
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

7
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

8
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

9
(No Transcript)
10
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

11
(No Transcript)
12
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

13
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

14
(No Transcript)
15
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

16
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

17
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

18

• 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

19

• 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

20
(No Transcript)
21
Officer Richard Neil (retired)
www.officerneil.com