NCJ Number
4922
Journal
Police Volume: 16 Issue: 12 Dated: (AUGUST 1972) Pages: 27-31
Date Published
1972
Length
5 pages
Annotation
BEAT STRUCTURES, AND PATROLMEN VERSUS SPECIAL UNIT RESPONSE ARE EVALUATED BY A COMPUTER SIMULATION OF PATROL CAR ACTIVITIES.
Abstract
THE RESULTS SHOW THAT SERVICE TO HIGH PRIORITY CALLS IS NOT IMPROVED BY THOSE PATROL METHODS USING A FEW TACTICAL CARS SUBSTITUTED FOR RESPONSE FORCE CARS, AND THAT SERVICE TO NONPRIORITY CALLS IS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED BY THOSE METHODS. ADMINISTRATORS HAVE TO WEIGH THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF USING SPECIAL PATROL CARS TO PROVIDE FAST SERVICE TO ONLY HIGH PRIORITY CALLS WITH THE RAMIFICATIONS ON SERVICE TO OTHER CALLS. IF SERVICE TO NONPRIORITY CALLS IS SUFFICIENTLY DELAYED ON TOO MANY OCCASIONS, THEN THE PUBLIC WILL BECOME DISCOURAGED AND DISSATISFIED WITH POLICE PERFORMANCE. TACTICAL FORCES CAN BE OF SUBSTANTIAL VALUE IN LARGE SCALE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS AND OTHER SPECIAL TASKS, BUT A PRACTICE OF TAKING OFFICERS WITHOUT REPLACEMENT FROM THE RESPONSE FORCE FOR THE PREVENTIVE FORCE IS OF QUESTIONABLE VALUE.