NCJ Number
158103
Date Published
1996
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This paper examines various issues that pertain to the evaluation of tactical patrol.
Abstract
The author first describes a variety of forms of tactical patrol, including evidence on effectiveness. It then discusses a number of practical and methodological problems that interfere with any attempt to quantify the success or failure of tactical police patrol operations. This is followed by suggestions for techniques that police can use to overcome or alleviate these problems as much as possible. Although there are a variety of tactical/directed patrol projects, they share four common characteristics: they are proactive and aggressive; officers use noncommitted time to engage in purposeful activity; officers have specific instructions that direct their activities; and these instructions are based on thorough analyses of crime data. Three of the basic police values are most likely to be pertinent to judging the quality of tactical patrol: efficiency, legality, and equity. In quantifying the quality of tactical patrol, the outcome is of greatest interest, i.e., did crime go down, was disorder reduced, and were citizens satisfied. It is always easier and cheaper to measure quality by using information that is routinely collected than to undertake additional data gathering. The final section of the paper offers three suggestions for quantifying the quality of tactical patrol: use specific measures of effort and outcome; use multiple measures; and use creative measures. Several examples of each of these suggestions are presented. 2 tables, 3 figures, 6 notes, and 29 references