PATROL SUPERVISOR

The patrol supervisor is under the direct supervision of the patrol watch commander. The duties and responsibilities of the patrol supervisor are as follows:

1. Ensuring that all patrol personnel are assigned to a patrol area and that they understand their duties and responsibilities.

2. Ensuring that patrol personnel remain in their assigned patrols areas.

3. Being aware of all applicable departmental instructions, procedures, and policies that affect the proper performance of duty.

4. Ensuring the safe and proper operation of all assigned patrol vehicles.

5. Acting as a roving patrol, particularly in places or areas frequented by large numbers of personnel or trouble spots.

Patrol supervisors assist patrol personnel in handling serious incidents. Supervision of patrols ensures uniform performance of duties in accordance with approved procedures and promotes exemplary appearance and conduct. The patrol supervisor should correct any improper actions of patrol personnel and continually seek to improve policies and procedures with recommendations from field observations.

Supervisors are held responsible for the accuracy, grammar and format of reports submitted by their assigned personnel. Good reports can aid in reducing the administrative burden on higher level supervisory personnel, resulting in cost reductions.

The various forms, logs, and records used by patrol personnel are discussed in chapter 18.

DISPATCHER

The dispatcher is directly responsible to the watch supervisor or, in his or her absence, the patrol supervisor. The duties and responsibilities of the dispatcher are as follows:

1. Monitoring and directing the activities of the patrol units according to the direction of the watch supervisor.

2. Monitoring police radio nets and alarm indicators, ensuring expeditious response of field units.

3. Serving as an information source for patrol units. However, no supervisory functions are performed.

4. Maintaining the desk journal which is the official record of all patrol radio traffic. It is filed chronologically by date and serves as a backup reference and support for other reports.

It is imperative that the radio log contains the source, time, and substance of conversation on all routine calls. In cases of serious incidents, an incident complaint report (ICR) will be completed.

PATROLMEN

The patrolmen are directly responsible to the patrol supervisor. The duties and responsibilities of the patrolmen are as follows:

1. Patrolling an assigned area, ensuring security is maintained in the zone or area to which assigned.

2. Remaining vigilant at all times and ensuring his or her actions are in keeping with departmental procedures and policies.

3. Responding to radio calls and engaging in self-initiated law enforcement activities.

4. Extending military courtesies and making quick decisions based on judgment and common sense.

WATCH SECTION FIELD TRAINING OFFICER

The watch section field training officer (FTO) is directly responsible to the patrol watch commander for training purposes. Unless a patrol unit is adequately manned to provide a person to act solely as the FTO, the most qualified patrolman in the section will act in that capacity.

The duties and responsibilities of the field training officer are as follows:

1. Ensuring that each trainee receives extensive training in accordance with departmental procedures and policies.

2. Keeping abreast of all new and updated changes.

3. Ensuring that each trainee is knowledgeable of personal appearance standards and military courtesies.

METHODS OF PATROL

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe six techniques helpful in performing foot patrol duty. Explain the methods and techniques used in motor patrol, and the list the four purposes of fixed post patrol.

Patrols normally consist of two patrolmen who enforce activities in an assigned area during a specified period of time. The area of operations for each patrol and the duties to be performed are posted at the security headquarters and are distributed when the patrol is briefed. The detailed pattern and time of patrolling should be varied so that would-be offenders cannot determine routes and schedules. Patrols may be either mobile (foot patrols and motor patrols) or fixed posts.

In order to get assistance in cases of emergency, you must be familiar with the means of communication available on particular routes, posts, and with neighboring or overlapping patrols. Now let us discuss the different types of patrols.

FOOT PATROLS

Foot patrols cover limited areas frequented by military personnel, such as high traffic areas or amusement areas. Short patrol routes may be used so that special attention to known or potential trouble spots may be provided. The following techniques are helpful in performing foot patrol duty:

1. Know your patrol area thoroughly, including it's streets, buildings, and other physical features.

2. Become acquainted with persons who live or work in your area. They may be good sources of information or assistance. Be courteous toward them but do nor accept favors or gratuities from them.

3. Be able to give simple, accurate directions as to the location of certain facilities, in or adjacent to your area, such as bus stops, hospitals, and recreations areas. Know emergency/alternate routes in and from your area.

4. Patrolman should walk at a distance from buildings or structures so that they can better observe the area be less susceptible to surprise, and be readily seen and contacted by supervisors or by persons who seek assistance.

5. When patrolling off base and authorized to enter public buildings, do so in an inconspicuous manner. Pause to observe the activities and then move through the establishment to view conditions without loitering or disturbing the occupants. When entering dark areas, such as unlighted alleys or interiors, let your eyes become adjusted to the darkness before you proceed further. When using a flashlight, hold the light in your non-weapon hand and at a distance to the side of your body. This will aid in keeping the light from making you a target.

6. Be curious, take initiative, check or inquire into anything within the scope of your duties and authority concerning military personnel that is suggestive of improper conduct or disorder, and take appropriate action.

MOTOR PATROLS

Motor patrols perform essentially the same functions as foot patrols; however, they provide coverage of a much more extensive area. This includes performing physical security checks of installation perimeters, gates, and other physical barriers throughout the command. Motor patrols are capable of providing rapid reinforcement of other patrols, supervisory or transportation services, communication services, and emergency services.

Motor patrols normally divide their actions between cruising and parking in areas where violations frequently occur. These activities should be performed in a plainly visible manner since visible patrols encourage compliance. Parking the vehicle in obscure places, such as behind billboards or among trees, is not conducive to good public relations or effective enforcement.

Set a good example for other drivers by observing traffic regulations and road courtesy.

In answering emergency calls, warning devices, such as sirens and warning lights mounted on the vehicle, should be used in accordance with local standard operating procedures (SOPs). Speed limits apply to all vehicles on emergency calls, and are established as maximum SAFE speeds under ideal conditions. Excess speed should be resorted to only when local policy permits and the situation warrants such action.