POLICE SURVEILLANCE TRAINING, PART 2 - TACTICAL PROCEDURES

• NCJ Number: 48053
• Author(s): G GUERINPAINE K
• Editor(s): K PAINE
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 0 pages
• Sale Source: Harper and Row Media; Not Available Through National Institute of Justice/NCJRS Document Loan Program
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. 22 MINUTES, 35MM COLOR, 1978 PRICE QUOTED IS FOR COMPLETE SET. THE KIT (PART 2) CONTAINS AN AUDIO CASSETTE, 140 SLIDES, AND A 55-PAGE HANDBOOK

Annotation

TACTICS FOR POLICE SURVEILLANCE OFFICERS TO USE WHILE CONDUCTING OBSERVATIONS ARE PROVIDED IN THIS SLIDE AND CASSETTE PROGRAM.

Abstract

POLICE SURVEILLANCE INVOLVES WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. MANY POLICE OFFICERS BECOME BORED WITH THIS, BUT EXTENSIVE PLANNING AND PREPARATION ARE NECESSARY FOR THE STAKEOUT TO WORK. THERE ARE TWO BASIC KINDS OF SURVEILLANCE -- MOBILE, WHICH FOLLOWS THE TARGET; AND STATIONARY, WHICH OBSERVES THE TARGET FROM A FIXED POINT. SURVEILLANCE CAN BE LOOSE, WHEN THE TARGET IS ONLY WATCHED PERIODICALLY, AND CLOSE, WHERE THE TARGET IS UNDER CONSTANT AND INTENSE OBSERVATION. THE OFFICER MUST LEARN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT THE TARGET, THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THE TRAFFIC PATTERNS, AND WHERE THE TARGET SPENDS MOST OF HIS OR HER TIME. MOBILE SURVEILLANCE IS THE HARDEST VARIETY BECAUSE IT INVOLVES A ONE-TO-ONE CONTACT WITH THE TARGET. WALKING PURSUIT CAN BE DONE IN MANY DIFFERENT METHODS AND WITH ONE OR MORE OFFICERS. THE CHANCES OF BEING NOTICED ARE REDUCED WHEN TWO OR THREE OFFICERS ARE INVOLVED IN THE OBSERVATION. THE TARGET, IF AFRAID THAT SOMEONE IS FOLLOWING, MAY TRY TO LOSE ANY POSSIBLE PURSUIT, OR MAY TRY TO CATCH THE OFFICER IN THE ACT BY A TRICK. THE OBSERVER SHOULD WATCH FOR CONTACTS, GET GOOD PHYSICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THEM, AND TAKE A PICTURE OF SUSPECTED CONTACTS IF POSSIBLE. OFFICERS ON STAKEOUT MUST WATCH TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE NOT BEING FOLLOWED AS WELL. VEHICULAR OBSERVATION INVOLVES MANY OF THE SAME PROCEDURES AS WALKING SURVELILLANCE, EXCEPT THAT THE OFFICER IN A CAR WILL HAVE TO CONTEND WITH TRAFFIC. VEHICULAR PURSUIT MAY HAVE TO BE COMBINED WITH A CHASE ON FOOT IN THE EVENT THAT THE TARGET LEAVES THE CAR. THE LOCATION OF A STATIONARY SURVEILLANCE OFFICER CAN BE THE SITE OF A HOME BASE FOR THE OTHER OFFICERS IN THE OPERATION. THE PERSON MAINTAINING THE STATIONARY POST MUST HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF PATIENCE, AND KEEP A DETAILED LOG OF EVENTS. WHEN A SUITABLE ROOM OR BUILDING IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR A STAKEOUT, A VAN OR TRUCK WITH A ONE-WAY MIRROR COULD BE USED. THE OFFICER CAN BE DISGUISED; FOR EXAMPLE, DRESSED AS A UTILITY WORKER. THE SURVEILLANCE TEAM SHOULD MEET PERIODICALLY TO KEEP TRACK OF THE INVESTIGATION, BECAUSE THE PROCESS OF SURVEILLENCE REQUIRES A GREAT DEAL OF COORDINATION BETWEEN THE MEMBERS OF THE TEAM. FOR THE FIRST AND THIRD PARTS OF THIS SERIES, SEE NCJ 48052 AND 48054. A HANDBOOK IS INCLUDED WITH THE SET. (BAC)