41

PATROL

Standards in this chapter relate to the administration, operation, and equipment of the patrol function of a law enforcement agency.

The word "patrol" is used here in its broadest sense. It is considered to be a primary law enforcement function and embraces much more than the act of patrolling. It is defined as a generalized function in which officers may be engaged in a variety of activities which can range from traditional response to requests for service to alternate strategies for the delivery of police services.

 

41.1 Administration

41.1.1 If the agency maintains 24-hour coverage, agency procedures provide for continuous patrol coverage.

Commentary: this does not require 24-hour preventive patrol. Rather, the intent of this standard is to ensure that on-duty personnel are available to respond to requests for police service. To demonstrate compliance with this standard, shift changes may be staggered; or if officers are available for immediate assignment at shift change—for example, when in shift briefing status—this should be considered continuous coverage.

(M M M M)

41.1.2 A written directive specifies procedures for:

a. assignment to patrol shifts;

b. frequency of shift rotation, if any;

c. assignment to service areas, if any;

d. frequency of service area rotation, if any; and

e. determination of days off.

Commentary: this standard does not limit the flexibility of the agency to assign personnel to community-based initiatives. A single method for assigning officers to shifts, service areas, and days off should be developed and followed consistently. A uniform procedure helps to ensure impartiality in the process. However, agency management should retain the final authority to assign officers to shifts, and service areas in order to provide effective coverage, ensure accountability, and achieve organizational goals and objectives.

(O O O O)

 

41.1.3 A written directive governs the frequency and procedures for shift briefing.

Commentary: Shift briefing should accomplish, at a minimum, the following four basic tasks: briefing officers with information regarding daily patrol activity, with particular attention given to unusual situations, potential and actual police hazards, changes in the status of wanted persons, stolen vehicles, major investigations, and information regarding relevant community-based initiatives, if any; notifying officers of changes in schedules and assignments; notifying officers of new directives or changes in directives; and evaluating officer readiness to assume patrol. If officers do not report for duty to a facility, e.g., resident state troopers, duty sheriffs, etc., some form of pre-shift contact or briefing should be accomplished by other means.

(M M M M)

 

41.1.4 If the agency has, or uses, special-purpose vehicles, bicycle units, horses, or canine teams, a written directive governs their operation and includes, at a minimum, the following provisions for each kind of vehicle or animal:

a. a statement of the objectives of their operation or usage;

b. instructions, conditions, and limitations of usage;

c. authorization for use in various situations;

d. qualifications and training for personnel assigned to operate the vehicle or control the animal, if agency owned;

e. designation of the person or position responsible for the condition and maintenance of the vehicle or care of the animal, if agency owned;

f. a listing of equipment, if any, to be kept in or on the vehicle or required for the animal, if agency owned; and

g. a listing of persons or positions authorized to operate the vehicle and its equipment or control the animal, if agency owned.

Commentary: The intent of this standard is to establish guidelines for the operation of all types of special-purpose vehicles or control of animals utilized by the agency. Unmarked vehicles are not included in the definition of special-purpose vehicles.

(M M M M)

 

41.2 Operations

41.2.1 A written directive establishes procedures for responding to routine and emergency calls and includes guidelines for the use of authorized emergency equipment.

Commentary: At a minimum, the agency, should classify calls for service as routine or emergency. These classifications should designate when emergency lights and siren should be used and when traffic laws should be observed. The directive should address high-speed driving conditions and restrictions when responding to emergency calls. The procedure should also address the responsibility of responding officers, dispatchers, and supervisors while responding to emergency calls. Guidelines for emergency equipment use during routine activities, such as stopping traffic violators, assisting motorists, and parking on/off roadways, may be included (see 61.1.7).

(M M M M)

 

41.2.2 A written directive governs pursuit of motor vehicles, to include:

a. evaluating the circumstances;

b. initiating officer’s responsibilities;

c. designating secondary unit’s responsibilities;

d. specifying roles and restrictions pertinent to marked, unmarked, or other types of police vehicle involvement in the pursuit;

e. assigning dispatcher’s responsibilities;

f. describing supervisor’s responsibilities;

g. using forcible stopping/roadblocks (refer to 61.3.4);

h. specifying when to terminate pursuit;

i. engaging in inter and intrajurisdictional pursuits involving personnel from the agency and/or other jurisdictions; and

j. detailing a procedure for reporting and an administrative review of the pursuit.

Commentary: The agency should have clear-cut policy and procedures for pursuits. The policy should be cross-referenced with the agency’s deadly force policy (see 1.3.2). All sworn personnel should be provided with this written directive. Agencies may wish to consider frequent discussion and review of these policies/procedures during shift briefings and/or in-service training sessions.

(M M M M)

 

41.2.3 The agency conducts an annual, documented analysis of those reports required by standard 41.2.2.

Commentary: A review of incidents involving vehicle pursuits may reveal patterns or trends that indicate training needs and/or policy modifications.

(M M M M)

 

41.2.4 A written directive governs the conduct of field interviews.

Commentary: A field interview program may deprive actual and potential offenders of some of their initiative in selecting the time, place, and circumstances for the commission of crimes. The agency should clearly indicate what constitutes a valid field interview situation to guard against its misuse and to minimize potentially adverse citizen reactions. Field interview contacts may be documented to provide other officers, investigators, and crime analysts with information concerning suspicious persons and situations. Information gathered on field contact cards or forms may be considered criminal intelligence and processed in accordance with standards in Chapter 51 (Criminal Intelligence) and Chapter 82 (Records).

(O O O O)

 

41.2.5 A written directive specifies the circumstances and establishes procedures for first responder notifications in emergency situations.

Commentary: Agency procedures should address notification by first responder units of such agencies or persons as are appropriate to the situation. This could include, but would not necessarily be limited to, notification of police supervisory personnel, emergency medical services, fire service, the medical examiner/coroner, street/highway department personnel, public utilities personnel, and the news media.

(M M M M)

 

41.2.6 A written directive provides procedures for reporting and investigating missing persons, which include at a minimum:

a. initial description and information to be gathered;

b. dissemination of collected information;

c. entry and removal of the information in the appropriate criminal justice information system;

d. follow-up contact with the reporting persons;

e. follow-up investigation and search;

f. any special procedures applicable to juveniles; and

g. any special considerations applicable to critically missing or at-risk persons.

Commentary: None.

(M M M M)

 

41.3 Equipment

41.3.1 Vehicles used in routine or general patrol service whether conspicuously marked or unmarked must be equipped with operational emergency lights and a siren.

Commentary: Conspicuously marked patrol cars are readily identified as law enforcement agency vehicles from every view and from a long distance, even at night. Conspicuous marking increases safety, serves as a warning to potential violators, and provides citizens with a feeling of security. Markings, if used, should include exterior mounted emergency lights (such as those mounted on rooftop light bars), the agency’s name, the emergency telephone number, and reflective materials placed on the sides and rear of the vehicle, such as reflective striping, lettering, or decals.

It is also recommended that patrol cars be equipped with a public address speaker, exterior spotlights, and alley lights.

(M M M M) Compliance may be OBSERVED.

 

41.3.2 A written directive specifies the equipment to be included in every patrol vehicle and establishes a system to ensure replenishment of supplies for operational readiness.

Commentary: The amount and type of equipment carried in patrol vehicles depends on the mission of the agency and its patrol officers. Items such as a first-aid kit, equipment for protection against transmission of blood-borne pathogens, blankets, flares, reflective cones, tape measure, accident and criminal investigation equipment and reports, fire extinguisher, and other equipment are often needed by a patrol officer to handle emergencies and preliminary investigations effectively. The agency may determine its needs. However, the equipment decided upon should be specified by kind and amount, be uniformly available in all vehicles, and available for use. Check-off lists or inspection forms can aid officers and supervisors with ensuring that vehicles are properly stocked, as well as proving compliance with this standard.

(M M M M)

 

41.3.3 a written directive specifies the requirements for the use of occupant safety restraints devices in every vehicle.

Commentary: The use of seat belts can have a significant effect in reducing the number of deaths and the severity of injuries resulting from traffic crashes and assist officers in maintaining proper control of their vehicles during pursuit or emergency high speed operations. The directive should require use of occupant safety restraining devices, including the use of child-safety restraints as applicable. This standard applies to all vehicles normally equipped with factory-installed occupant safety restraining devices (see 71.2.1 for exceptions).

(M M M M)

 

41.3.4 A written directive designates the specifications for all authorized personal equipment and apparel to be worn by patrol officers.

Commentary: The agency should determine the specifications and authorize all personal equipment and apparel used/worn by patrol officers to ensure uniformity and prevent use of unauthorized or substandard items. The agency should maintain accurate records of the equipment/apparel provided to each employee (see 22.2.8).

(O O O O)

 

41.3.5 the agency makes available protective vests for all sworn personnel assigned to uniform field duty and establishes written guidelines for the wearing and availability of those vests.

Commentary: the wearing of protective vests is important to officer safety. Protective vests should afford protection consistent with the threat to which officers are exposed. Possible reasons for not wearing protective vests could include, but are not necessarily limited to, excessively warm weather conditions, the regular assignment of patrol personnel to non-line duties, etc. Protective vests donated to the agency, or provided by other means, meet the requirement of the standard.

For reasons of proper fit and hygiene, it is strongly recommended the agency provide a vest for its’ individual sworn personnel assigned to uniform field duty.

(M M M M)

41.3.6 A written directive requires the wearing of protective vests by personnel engaged in pre-planned, high-risk situations as defined by the agency.

Commentary: The intent of the standard is to require that personnel involved in the execution of high-risk tactical duties are required to wear agency provided protective vests whenever discharging those responsibilities regardless of exceptions that may have been delineated under agency guidelines meeting standard 41.3.5. Examples of high-risk tactical situations include, but are not necessarily limited to planned warrant execution, drug raids, etc.

(M M M M)

 

41.3.7 If the agency has computerized mobile data access capabilities or other similar technology, a written directive establishes procedures for its use.

Commentary: The intent of the standard is to cause agencies to develop procedures for the system’s access, use, and security. Procedures should consider the system’s sophistication. Issues of system access, password security, and administrative security inspections will be determined by the individual system and database access capabilities of that system.

(M M M M)

 

41.3.8 If agency-owned, in-car audio or video recording systems are used, a written directive establishes policy and procedures for the following:

a. situations for use;

b. tape security and access; and

c: tape storage and retention schedule.

Commentary: The policy and procedure should provide direction to field personnel for the use of this technology. The products of this technology could become an important piece of evidence in any type of case and should be maintained in a way to insure the integrity of contents. When tapes become evidence, they should be treated as any other evidentiary items in accordance with standards in Chapters 83 and 84.

(M M M M)