New York City Police Patrol Systems - Assignment Example

? New York Police Patrol Systems: Functions and Operations School (100-125) Police departments have always had to contend with negative publicity, particularly when too many arrests have been made in a neighborhood, or over traffic tickets, or even in claims of police brutality. Therefore, it is essential that departments find ways to present a better image to the public. Foot patrol and horse patrols are two types of patrol operation that police departments conduct in any large city. These are both areas where officers can excel and provide good public relations to the public and help change negative views into more positive ones. For the most part, most people will meet up with the police on the streets or highways, when stopped for traffic infractions. Therefore, in downtown areas, it is good to have another presence, that of the police officer who is available to the public and who provides more a level of protection rather than of fear. Introduction Police departments in any city maintain their presence through a number of ways: foot patrols, bicycle patrols, patrolling neighborhoods in squad cars or motorcycles, and in some areas, horse patrols. The patrol system is the means by which the police are able to interact with the communities they serve and build relationships of trust and respect (Craven 2009). When neighbors in a community get to know who is patrolling their sector, then they are far more likely to confide in the members of the police that they see on an almost daily basis (Shelden 2003). Generally, members of the police department are assigned to a ‘beat’ which means they get to know the area through its streets, buildings, businesses, and homes that are part of the individual’s sector of patrol (Hunter & Barker 2011). Accordingly, as part of this beat, police officers get to know the people who live and work in the area and are able to build relationships with local people. The police, who operate these patrols, in some ways act as public relations managers, promoting the face of the police department, conducting community meetings with the locals, and gathering data for analysis on the sector over time (Craven 2009). Patrols and Operations 1. Historically, the first police patrols were foot patrols which were found in the larger cities. As large cities had numerous neighborhoods to contend with, as well as business districts, the police were required to walk their beats which also provided opportunities to get to know the people in their area (Craven 2009). In the early days of foot patrols, this was the preferred method of patrolling the beats until bicycles, and then cars, were utilized. Bicycles allowed the police officer to get to one area of his beat to the next spot quicker than ever before. When the automobile was brought into the patrol system, then the police could get around in any weather and go wherever needed, at any time, as well as be able to transport prisoners (Hunter & Barker 2011). It also provided a sense of protection for the police officer, particularly in dangerous areas. Some cities also had the horse patrols in earlier years although maintaining horses could be somewhat expensive. As a consequence, horse patrols were used more often for ceremonial purposes than the actual police beat. New York City is famous for having a horse division for some of its patrol sectors (Cordner & Scarborough 2010). In other areas of the United States, the motorcycle is the alternative to the car patrol and is more likely to be a part of ceremonial processions rather than horses. 2.Traditional policies in community relations refer to engaging with the public in the various communities which are patrolled on a regular basis. There are several levels of community operations and interactions: individual, as a group and also, as political actors, whereby the police tend to represent those who are in legislature of the city or state under which they work (Hunter & Barker 2011). While the police officers can maintain a friendly attitude towards members of a community, they must also have respect from the community in being able to control events and criminal activities which take place within their sectors (Craven 2009). 3. The New York Police Department maintains a number of patrol units: horse patrol (Cooper 2011), foot patrol, scooter and motorcycle patrol, squad car unit, K-9 unit (part of Port Authority Police), N.Y.C. Auxiliary police unit (more for emergency situations), and also a water division patrol, which monitors the harbors and water systems in New York City (Telep & Weiburd 2011). Many of these patrol units are also connected to other divisions within or outside the police administration, such as counter-terrorism and Homeland Security. For regular beat and patrols, the foot patrol, scooter/motorcycle patrols, and the squad car patrols are the most often-seen groups in the city. The horse patrol are also very visible but are more around the Central Park area and are not necessarily involved in chase situations, but more for maintaining order on Manhattan streets (Cooper 2011). 4. New York City has a number of patrol squads, as addressed in the previous paragraph but two will be discussed in more detail here: the foot patrol and the horse patrol. Both patrols can address basic policing issues but are not able to move very far out of their sphere of patrol, such as chasing down a suspect. 5. The horse patrol is most commonly seen in downtown Manhattan around Central Park, Times Square, and on the streets close to these areas. Wherever horse patrol can be easily utilized without potential danger for horses from wayward automobiles and dangerous people, then horses can be a presence. The horse patrol can also be used during demonstrations to help move people back unless the crowd becomes unruly and dangerous to the horse. However, horses have been known to trample people as well (Cooper 2011). Otherwise, the horse patrol is considered a good public relations tie between the people and the legal entity. The foot patrol is one that can be utilized in just about any neighborhood although response to crimes in progress is rather limited. In that case, it will usually require a squad car be sent in. Foot patrols are more commonly used in neighborhoods with businesses such as downtown Manhattan, Fifth Avenue, and other areas that have a high walker traffic count. Foot patrols can also travel on the extensive bus and subway systems and this is one area where their presence is very welcome (Dempsey & Forst 2013). Foot patrol, in these circumstances, are seen as protectors and a source of comfort, up front and personal. While having foot patrols is more expensive because of the inability to travel distances to a crime scene like a squad car can, the foot patrol provides a level of personalization and even positive public relations between the police department and the public (Dempsey & Forst 2013). 6. The foot patrol is implemented year round, except in very dangerous weather. Foot patrol officers can wear rain gear and take refuge from time to time in various businesses if it is too cold or raining too hard (Dempsey & Forst 2013). For horse patrols, it is not clear if horse patrols are sent out on rainy days or not although most likely, they can handle most weather situations. Snow also would not be a problem for horses so long as there are not any uncovered manholes in the streets. In this situation, horses could get around better than squad cars if the snow is too high. The only possible deterrent for horse patrols would be long days in sweltering heat which might be too much for any animal, even humans. 7. As noted before, foot patrols are excellent visible reminders to the public that law enforcement is made up of people like themselves, and it also offers a chance for people to communicate with their beat officers. Certainly, restaurants and other businesses along the route are quite happy to have officers come in to have lunch or just hang out for a chat, thus promoting a bit of PR (Craven 2009). Also, with the increase in technology, the use of cell phones by the police helps with remaining in contact with headquarters. Although not mentioned anywhere in the research conducted, small laptops or iPads could also be carried wherein officers could conduct quick research checkups and also remain in contact with administration. Paperwork, tickets and other legal papers could also be conducted online at the scene, thus eliminating paperwork in hardcopy and also provide timely information back to the main database (Craven 2009). 8. Public opinion for both foot patrols and horse patrols are very positive although horse patrols have more of a glamor background to its popularity. In fact, Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne has said that the New York horse patrol is photographed more than Kim Kardashian and that the horses provide a tremendous value in goodwill between the public and law enforcement (Cooper 2011). 9. Both programs are very successful at promoting the better side of law enforcement. Foot patrols are very successful because the public can stop and talk with foot patrol directly or pass on information about a crime that has occurred (Craven 2009). While this can be done with horse patrols, it may be that people do not want to get too close for fear of having a foot stepped on (Cooper 2011). 10. Both programs encourage the public to engage in friendly interaction (for the most part) because foot patrol officers and horse patrol officers do not seem as scary as maybe other police might appear. A squad car or van may appear to be scary because there is the potential that one could get carted away to jail (Cooper 2011; Craven 2009). Both patrols have officers who are more willing to engage with the public than other patrols might contain, merely because both are out in the public eye so much more than other patrols. Conclusion In many respects, with improved technology, both the foot patrol officers and horse patrol officers can operate much like any other officer, except in the case of pursing a criminal. At that point, squad cars and police helicopters might need to be called in to give chase, particularly if the criminal is in a vehicle. Both patrols also have the greatest chances in garnering good publicity for the police department as a whole (Cooper 2011; Craven 2009). This can also help with keeping crime down when there is a higher visibility of police presence than when they are absent. Resources Read More