NCJ Number
86569
Journal
Australian Police Journal Volume: 36 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1982) Pages: 155-166
Date Published
1982
Length
12 pages
Annotation
An Australian police officer describes the role of the highway patrol, with emphasis on the importance of visibility in deterring traffic violations.
Abstract
The highway patrol is supposed to control and regulate the flow of vehicular traffic, which has increased in New South Wales from 40,000 registered vehicles in 1920 to over 2.5 million registered vehicles in 1980. The highway patrol has grown from its 1913 inception as a motorcycle patrol to a modern fleet of high speed cars and motorcycles fitted with such equipment as special speedometers and radar units. Enforcement of traffic laws requires active participation, which in turn requires visibility. Visibility includes both the direct visibility of police officers in clearly marked vehicles and the implied visibility present in roadblocks and onsite accident investigations. The use of support agencies such as media facilities can strengthen visibility's effectiveness as a deterrent. Nonpatrol functions such as vehicle maintenance and clerical work reduce the patrol's effectiveness. Management should keep these nonpatrol functions to a minimum. Trained officers should effectively supervise patrol officers so that their daily routines will make the most effective possible use of their deterrent potential. The control systems which support the supervisory function include rosters, reporting sheets, statistical reports, control maps, and use of field supervision. A list of six references and appendixes presenting forms are included.