Patrollers are active in all 50 states and across 10 countries around the world. There are 600+ patrols with over 30,000 members making our team one of the largest outdoor safety organizations in the country. National Ski Patrol is a federally-chartered 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association. As the leading authority of on-mountain safety, National Ski Patrol is dedicated to serving the outdoor recreation industry by providing education and accreditation to emergency care and safety service providers. LEARN MORE
The word "patrol" is derived from the French word patrouiller, itself derived from the Old French word patouiller meaning "to paddle, paw about, patrol", which is in turn from patte, "a paw".
In military tactics, a patrol is a sub-subunit or small tactical formation, sent out from a military organization by land, sea or air for the purpose of combat, reconnaissance, or a combination of both. The basic task of a patrol is to follow a known route with the purpose of investigating some feature of interest or, in the assignment of a fighting patrol (U.S. combat patrol), to find and engage the enemy. A patrol can also mean a small cavalry or armoured unit, subordinate to a troop or platoon, usually comprising a section or squad of mounted troops, or two armoured fighting vehicles (often tanks).
Patrol officers are the most recognizable members of the police, and are the government officials encountered most frequently by the public. Their duties include responding to calls for service, making arrests, resolving disputes, issuing tickets, taking crime reports, conducting traffic enforcement, investigating crimes, and conducting crime prevention measures. A patrol officer is often the first responder on the scene of any incident, and their actions can greatly affect the outcome of the investigation, as well as the lives and safety of themselves and others. Patrols are often done with the intent of community policing, to improve relations between police and the public.[2]
Patrol officers may conduct patrols on foot, while mounted, riding a police motorcycle or bicycle, driving a police car, crewing a police watercraft, or piloting a police aircraft, depending on the unit they are assigned to or their agency's capabilities. They may or may not be armed or uniformed. A study conducted by Temple University and the Philadelphia Police Department in the mid-2000s has shown that foot patrols reduce crime more than other methods.[3]
Some elementary schools utilize the term patrol to refer to students who are selected to monitor safety in the classroom or to those students who assist crossing guards with safety of children crossing busy nearby streets. Another common term for this use of patrol is hall monitor.
In Scouting, a patrol is six to eight Scouts (youth members) under the leadership of one of their number who is appointed Patrol Leader and supported by a Second or Assistant Patrol Leader. This is the basic unit of a Scout troop. The patrol method is an essential characteristic of Scouting by which it differs from all other organizations, using the natural dynamics of the gang for an educational purpose.[4]
The Patrol Services Bureau is the largest and most visible bureau in the NYPD, overseeing the majority of the department's uniformed officers on patrol. The bureau, commanded by the Chief of Patrol, is divided into eight borough commands, which are further divided into 77 police precincts.
While engaging in community policing practices, Patrol Services actively patrols each contract city to prevent and deter crime, as well as enforce city and county ordinances, and state and federal laws. Initial reports of felony-level offenses are taken by Patrol Services and then forwarded to the Criminal Investigations Unit for further investigation.
Temple police officers and security personnel have a high level of visibility on the Main, Health Sciences Center, Center City, Podiatry and Ambler campuses, which helps create a strong connection with the community. Linked through the state-of-the-art communication center, officers patrol the Main, Health Sciences Center and Ambler campuses 24 hours a day.
The Houston Police Department revived the combination of horse and police officer with the reestablishment of the Mounted Patrol in October 1984. Funds for the new mounted unit were originally provided through a grant from the Downtown Central Business District during the tenure of Mayor Kathy Whitmire and Chief of Police Lee P. Brown. The original mounted facility was located at 300 North Post Oak Lane, but in April of 2009 the mounted unit moved to its new facility located at 5005 Little York Road.
Today, Mounted Patrol is part of Strategic Operations, Homeland Security Command, Special Operations Division. The downtown business district and Hermann Park are the primary focus of Mounted Patrol. But, periodically, the mounted unit is given assignments to work with patrol divisions who are having a particular crime issue in a specific neighborhood. The unit has established itself as an undeniable asset to the Houston Police Department and the community we serve. The unit is an invaluable tool in crowd control and public relations as well as the enforcement of city ordinances and state law. All supervisors, police officers, and horses work together to provide the community effective, quality service. Due to the increased height on a horse the mounted officer is able to survey a large area quickly and address problem situations effectively. The officer and his mount are also a crime deterrent due to their increased visibility to the public. A mounted officer, on horseback, is able to transverse geographical areas in which it would be difficult for police officers in cars, on bicycles or on foot to proceed.
One mounted patrol officer and his/her horse has been compared to the effectiveness of 10 to 12 police officers on the ground in crowd control situations. Our unit has provided crowd control in many diverse situations. Some of the events include, the 1992 Republican Convention at the Astrodome; the 1994 and 1995 Houston Rocket NBA Championship Parades in downtown Houston; numerous Galveston Mardi Gras Parades; the 2004 MLB All-Star Baseball Game and the 2005 and 2017 World Series, both at Minute Maid Park; 2016 Final Four; Super Bowl XXXVIII and XVII and preceding parties in downtown Houston, along with after Super Bowl events. The mounted unit was an integral factor in the success of these huge events and will continue to be a much needed asset as more large special events are scheduled in the City of Houston.
Although a mounted officer on horseback may be intimidating while in crowd control situations the general public sees him/her as very approachable. Citizens who wish to see and touch the police horse will stop the mounted officer many times during his/her tour of duty. Also, members of the mounted unit are requested almost on a daily basis to provide demonstrations for schools, civic clubs, and other community based programs. At these programs the mounted officer will explain the duties of the mounted officer on horseback as well as demonstrate the effectiveness of the horse in a law enforcement capacity.
Mounted patrol officers are available to perform demonstrations. The demo may be scheduled at the facility or at a location of your choice. Away demos are somewhat limited due to distance, but as a rule, we will travel anywhere in the city limits of Houston, Harris County or an adjacent county. You may call the facility at 832-394-0399 to receive further information on how to schedule a demo.
We welcome everyone to visit our outstanding equine facility. If you would like to make a donation to the
Houston Police Department Mounted Patrol please go to www.houstonpolicefoundation.org and designate your donation to the Mounted Patrol.
The mission of the Metropolitan Police Department's Harbor Patrol Unit is to patrol all of the rivers, inlets, and waterways of the District of Columbia while ensuring members of the public are practicing safe recreational boating.
The Focused Patrol and Community Engagement Policing Strategy aims to proactively deter and reduce violent crime, and to directly connect MPD members with residents and businesses. The patrol method focuses on increasing the visibility of police officers in smaller geographical areas that have been identified through data analysis.
A targeted briefing will occur regularly, with the initiative being evaluated and assessed by officials of the Metropolitan Police Department and Bowser Administration, to ensure key recommendations and adjustments are made to address any concerns or issues that may arise. Additionally, the briefings will serve as points in which the geographical focused patrol areas will change based on continued data analysis.
Volunteer Members
Citizens On Proactive Patrol (COPP) are volunteer members of the Mount Vernon Police Department. COPP members are Citizen Academy graduates who chose to go through an advanced training course; a field-training period with selected, specially trained veterans of the group; and then commit to two four-hour patrol shifts per month. COPP volunteers are community members doing their part to make the City of Mount Vernon a great place to live.
Responsibilities
COPP members work in pairs and are provided with portable police radios and cellular telephones. They patrol neighborhoods, parks, schools, and businesses, acting as extra eyes, ears, and problem solvers for the Police Department. They focus primarily on quality of life issues and, if they notice anything out of the ordinary, radio a police officer to respond.
In addition to patrolling the city, COPP members post abandoned vehicles for towing; pick up found bicycles; assist officers with traffic control; assist with vehicle lock-outs, and provide handicapped parking enforcement and graffiti abatement. They help with special events such as Halloween Downtown, the City Christmas Parade, Children's Art Festival, and special events that require "uniformed" policing resources.
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