NCJ Number
8205
Date Published
1972
Length
12 pages
Annotation
SPECIFIC AND DETAILED PROCEDURES THAT POLICE MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH IN CARRYING OUT TRAFFIC PATROL DUTIES.
Abstract
A NUMBER OF AGENCIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING THE HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM OPERATING SMOOTHLY BUT ONLY THE POLICE ARE IN A POSITION TO CONSTANTLY MONITOR THE SYSTEM'S FUNCTIONING. THE DOCUMENT FOCUSES ON OBSERVATION RATHER THAN ACTUAL DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC. A LIST OF TRAFFIC PATROL OBJECTIVES IS PROVIDED ALONG WITH AN OUTLINE OF VARIOUS SITUATIONS WHICH MAY NEED CLOSE ATTENTION OR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE FOR COMBINING SEVERAL ACTIVITIES TO AVOID THE APPLICATION OF AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF TIME TO ONE PARTICULAR TASK. THE IDENTIFICATION OF ACCIDENT PRONE INTERSECTIONS THROUGH THE USE OF DEPARTMENTAL OR PERSONAL RECORDS IS EXAMINED. CHOOSING THE APPROPRIATE PATROL SPEED, AVOIDING A FIXED PATROL PATTERN, AND WORKING WITH ANOTHER PATROL VEHICLE AS A UNIT ARE DISCUSSED. ALSO MENTIONED ARE GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE FROM BOTH A PARKED POSITION AND ON FOOT. TRAFFIC PATROL WILL SERVE AS A VALUABLE AID IN THE TRAINING OF POLICEMEN IN TRAFFIC PATROL FUNCTIONS. (SNI ABSTRACT)