NCJ Number
14960
Date Published
1974
Length
37 pages
Annotation
AN ANALYSIS OF EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN LOW VISIBILITY (LV) PATROL OPERATIONS AS OPPOSED TO NORMAL AND HIGH VISIBILITY PATROL.
Abstract
FIELD STUDY WAS CONDUCTED IN JUNE AND JULY OF 1973 AT TWO SITES - NEW YORK CITY AND DETROIT - TO GAIN FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE IN LV OPERATIONS. BACKGROUND AND ORGANIZATION OF NEW YORK'S CITY-WIDE ANTI-CRIME SECTION (CWACS) AND DETROIT'S FELONY PREVENTION UNIT (OPERATION STRESS - STOP THE ROBBERIES, ENJOY SAFE STREETS) WITH EXAMPLES OF PATROL ACTIVITIES OBSERVED ARE RECOUNTED. SINCE CWACS MAKES FREQUENT USE OF DECOY TACTICS, AN OBSERVED DECOY OPERATION IN NEW YORK IS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL, AND SINCE STRESS PRIMARILY USES THE BLENDING PATROL TACTIC, A NIGHT OF LV PATROL IN DETROIT IS DESCRIBED. EQUIPMENT USED IN LV OPERATIONS IS CATEGORIZED AS COMMUNICATIONS, VEHICLES, WEAPONS, DISGUISES, VISION AIDS, AND PROTECTIVE GARMENTS. THE CATEGORIES ARE DESCRIBED FOR EACH CITY. INCLUDED ARE OFFICERS' SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS FOR EACH EQUIPMENT TYPE. CONCLUSIONS REACHED IN THE STUDY ARE PRESENTED IN THE FORM OF PROBLEM AREAS. THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM AREAS ARE PROPOSED FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS IDENTIFICATION OF PLAINCLOTHES POLICE OFFICERS, CONCEALMENT OF WEAPONS, COVERT COMMUNICATIONS, AND HIGH SPEED RESPONSE IN UNMARKED CARS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)