Getting Where You Want To Go: Agencies are Finding Alternatives to the Squad Car Can Help Them Navigate the Community

• NCJ Number: 216327
• Journal: Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 33 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2006 Pages: 60-62,64,66,68
• Author(s): Pamela Senn
• Date Published: October 2006
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes various types of police transportation vehicles that are alternatives to patrol cars, are environmentally friendly, are less costly than patrol cars, and are more effective than patrol cars in providing police mobility and maneuverability in certain areas.

Abstract

Police alternative modes of transportation include electric vehicles, scooters, all-terrain vehicles, utility vehicles, personal watercraft, one-man armored devices, Segways, and bicycles. Most of these vehicles use little or no gasoline and provide more maneuverability in various areas than a patrol car. These areas include urban neighborhoods with heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic, shopping malls, parking lots, off-road areas, waterfront areas, and neighborhood patrol. Many of these vehicles provide more conversational access to people in community policing venues and are less intimidating than patrol cars in interactions with the public. This article provides a number of examples of how various police departments are using particular alternative vehicles to perform special duties. It also describes the specifications for various types of alternative police vehicles manufactured by specific companies. Issues to consider in the decision about whether to purchase alternative vehicles and which vehicles to purchase are outlined. First, identify whether the department is responsible for event security that requires police mobility and maneuverability in crowds, the patrolling of parking lots, and the patrolling of malls and other large enclosed spaces. Second, examine how these duties are currently being performed and which alternative vehicles might perform the duties more effectively and at less cost. Third, if a department is committed to community policing, consider how alternative vehicles could enhance interaction with neighborhood residents. Other issues to consider are a reduction in gasoline costs and emissions, a reduction in officer fatigue and time required to perform certain duties, and freeing up patrol vehicles for duties only they can perform.