NCJ Number
15164
Date Published
1970
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE ROLE OF POLICE PATROL AS A CRIME DETERRENT, THE SUCCESSFUL PATROL PLAN OF ST. LOUIS, AND FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN DEVELOPING A PATROL PLAN ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
CRIME IS SEEN AS THE RESULT OF DESIRE AND OPPORTUNITY, AND PATROL IS VIEWED AS A CRIME DETERRENT IN THAT IT CURTAILS OPPORTUNITY. THE PATROL PLAN OF ST. LOUIS, WHICH INVOLVES EXTENSIVE USE OF MOTOR PATROLS AND MAN-DOG TEAMS IS DESCRIBED. IN THIS SYSTEM, DISTRIBUTION OF POLICE OFFICERS IS VARIED ACCORING TO TIME OF DAY, AREA, AND POPULATION, TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY. FIGURES SHOWING THE SUCCESS OF THIS SYSTEM ARE PROVIDED. BASIC STEPS USED IN IMPLEMENTING THIS PLAN WHICH MAY BE APPLIED TO OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE OUTLINED. AMONG THE CONDITIONS THAT MUST BE CONSIDERED ARE THE RELATIVE VALUES OF FOOT AND MOTOR PATROL, THE TOTAL AREA TO BE SERVICED, POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS, AND THE EXTENT OF ORGANIZED CRIME IN THE AREA. ALSO, FOR EFFECTIVE PATROL THE AUTHOR STATES THAT CRIME STATISTICS AND COMPILATIONS OF CALLS FOR SERVICE MUST BE ACCURATE, AND A BALANCE BETWEEN SPECIALIZED UNITS AND PATROL FORCES MUST BE REACHED. TRAINING, SALARY, EQUIPMENT AND MORALE FACTORS ARE ALSO DISCUSSED IN RELATION TO POLICE EFFICIENCY.