Patrol Officer

Overview

A Patrol Officer shall be responsible for the efficient performance of required duties in conformance with the directives contained in this Manual. Duties shall consist of, but are not necessarily limited to, a number of general police responsibilities necessary to the stability and safety of the community. A Patrol Officer shall be expected to:

• Identify criminal offenders and criminal activity and, where appropriate, apprehend offenders and participate in subsequent court proceedings.
• Reduce the opportunities for the commission of crime through preventive patrol and other measures.
• Aid individuals who are in danger of physical harm.
• Facilitate the movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
• Identify problems that are potentially serious law enforcement or governmental problems.
• Create and maintain a feeling of security in the community.
• Promote and preserve the peace.
• Provide other services on an emergency basis.
• Work various night shifts, holidays and be available for emergency call back while off-duty at any time.

It is the duty and responsibility of a Patrol Officer to:

• Exercise authority consistent with the obligations imposed by the oath of office and be accountable to superior officers. Promptly obey legitimate orders.
• Coordinate efforts with those of other members of the Department so that teamwork may ensure continuity of purpose and maximum achievement of police objectives.
• Communicate to superiors and to fellow officers information obtained which is pertinent to the achievement of police objectives.
• Respond punctually to all assignments.
• Acquire and record information concerning events that have taken place since the last duty period.
• Record activity during tour of duty in the manner prescribed by proper authority.
• Maintain weapons and equipment in a functional, presentable condition.
• Assist citizens requesting assistance or information. Courteously explain any instance where jurisdiction does not lie with the Police Department and suggest other procedures to be followed.
• Be accountable for the securing, receipting, and proper transporting of all evidence and property coming into custody.
• Answer questions asked by the general public, counsel juveniles and adults when necessary and refer them to persons and agencies where they can obtain further assistance.
• Preserve the peace at public gatherings, neighborhood disputes and family quarrels.
• Serve or deliver warrants, summonses, subpoenas, and other official papers promptly and accurately when so directed by a superior officer.
• Confer with court prosecutors and testify in court.
• Accomplish other general duties as they are assigned or become necessary.

Patrol Description

Patrol an assigned area for general purposes of crime prevention and law enforcement. Patrol includes:

• Being thoroughly familiar with the assigned route of patrol. Such familiarity includes knowledge of residents, merchants, businesses, roads, alleyways, paths, etc. Conditions that contribute to crime should be reported. The location of fire boxes, telephones and other emergency services should be noted.
• Apprehending persons violating the law or wanted by the police.
• Completing detailed reports on all crimes, vehicle accidents and other incidents requiring police attention. In cases where an arrest is made, an arrest report is submitted along with the required crime reports. When property is recovered or additional information is discovered pertaining to a previously reported offense, the officer completes an investigation report.
• Preserving any crime scene until relieved when such crime scene is encountered or when dispatched to the scene as the first responding officer.
• Public assembly checks
• Building security checks.
• Observing and interrogating of suspicious persons.
• Issuing traffic citations.
• Being alert for and reporting fires.
• Reporting street light and traffic signals out-of-order, street hazards and any conditions that endanger public safety.
• Checking of schools, parks and playgrounds.
• Responding to any public emergency.

Be alert to the development of conditions tending to cause crime or indicative of criminal activity. Take preventive action to correct such conditions, and inform superiors as soon as the situation permits.

Respond to situations brought to the officer’s attention while in the course of routine patrol or when assigned by radio. Render first aid, when qualified, to persons who are seriously ill or injured. Assist persons needing police services.

Remain on patrol throughout the tour of duty except when a police emergency necessitates a temporary absence, or when an Officer-in-Charge or the Dispatcher has issued authorization for a temporary absence.

Patrol areas giving particular attention to and frequently rechecking locations where the crime hazard is great. Insofar as possible, a Patrol Officer shall not patrol an area according to any fixed route or schedule, but shall alternate…