NCJ Number
201162
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 51 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2003 Pages: 113-115
Date Published
June 2003
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article provides some basic guidelines for the work of patrol district commanders.
Abstract
The job of patrol district commander is viewed as one of the most challenging and demanding jobs in police work. The patrol district commander is essentially the chief of police in a patrol's geographic area of operations. One rule for the district commander is to focus on keeping crime low. This typically involves keeping the number of Part I Index crimes at a daily level acceptable to the community and the bosses at headquarters. Keeping the daily crime count at or under 20 should be sufficient. If this number is exceeded for any length of time, headquarters will begin to question the patrol's performance. Effective crime control requires regular analysis of crime patterns and the development of innovative approaches to prevention and investigation. A second rule for district commanders is to control the officers he/she supervises. Such control involves not only ensuring that they are well-schooled in departmental policy and acceptable police behavior, but also that they are motivated to perform at a high level of professional competence. The latter is enhanced by making patrol officers criminal investigators. This involves getting them out of their cars to knock on doors, interact with informants, talk to citizens and business people, and assist in the collection of evidence related to particular crimes in the district. A third rule is to make an effort to get along with the political and community leadership in the district. These people can be of great assistance in the cause of public safety or become a source of continual criticism and complaints if their influence and efforts are minimized or ignored.