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Here's a question for the serving LEO's on the board. I'm not a cop, although I have a few friends who are and I've worked on a number of joint operations of various sorts. What I've always wondered is: what is the actual value of the patrol car, as opposed to foot patrol, in "preventing" crime?
Now, I understand fully that in Canada our municipalities are generally very spread out, and that a single man in a car has mobility and response time that a foot officer probably never would. I understand that the car reduces physical fatigue, and provides all sorts of support and protection for the LEO inside. It's also very visible. But it all seems somewhat reactive.
Are there situations in which foot patrol would actually be more "preventive"?. It seems to me that foot patrol officers would get to know the faces, sounds and back alleys, by day and night, much better than the car patrol. People might be more willing to talk to them.And, if a few officers work an area intensively, isn't that better than a car going down the street maybe once a day? (when I lived in Calgary in 1989-1997, IIRC the average was that each street got a car on average once per week).
I've asked this question a few times of serving LEOs and the answer I usually get is that using more foot presence would just be too demanding: most departments are not manned for it, and it would result in uneven levels of policing. As well, foot men can't move around as rapidly to respond to other incidents.
What do the police folks here think. (I tried searching this but no luck)
Cheers
Now, I understand fully that in Canada our municipalities are generally very spread out, and that a single man in a car has mobility and response time that a foot officer probably never would. I understand that the car reduces physical fatigue, and provides all sorts of support and protection for the LEO inside. It's also very visible. But it all seems somewhat reactive.
Are there situations in which foot patrol would actually be more "preventive"?. It seems to me that foot patrol officers would get to know the faces, sounds and back alleys, by day and night, much better than the car patrol. People might be more willing to talk to them.And, if a few officers work an area intensively, isn't that better than a car going down the street maybe once a day? (when I lived in Calgary in 1989-1997, IIRC the average was that each street got a car on average once per week).
I've asked this question a few times of serving LEOs and the answer I usually get is that using more foot presence would just be too demanding: most departments are not manned for it, and it would result in uneven levels of policing. As well, foot men can't move around as rapidly to respond to other incidents.
What do the police folks here think. (I tried searching this but no luck)
Cheers