Single Unit Patrols

[Alien Boy]

Hello friends, sorry if this topic has been done to death, I've utilised the search function but didn't have any luck.

I'm in the process of making a submission through my agency about the virtues of single-unit policing. In a nutshell, I'm saying we will have more police vehicles on the road, and an increase in proactivity, if we reduce the amount of two-man units.

I'd just like to glean some attitudes here towards single unit policing - for example, what are policies regarding one-man patrols (any jobs you won't go to?). What are your experiences with one-man patrols, and is there anything you would change?

Thanks in advance.

[dave263k9]

ive worked small PD's and SO's my whole career, so the only time you rode two man cars is if your're an fto or doing crime suppres. you catch any call as they come, some you just have to slow down and wait for back-up to catch up before going in. im a k9 unit so ive always got a partner. i wouldnt trade him for anything. two man units are great because youve got back up on hand, you can be more proactive. my 2cents.besafe

[dogma vs karma]

dave said it perfectly for how it's done in the states.
maybe you could convince your department to go 1/2 2 man units, and 1/2 single for a few months and then compare stats.

edit; you asked if there are some calls single units do not go to.
they go to all of them, and hope back up arrives in a timely fashion. good coordination will allow multiple officers to arrive simultaneously and handle the call.

[Phlip]

Same here. Single man units all the way. We back each other up on almost everything save for the simple civil standby's and such. That's just the way we roll here.

[Chief Wiggum]

Single man cars here too. Dispatch sends two cars (at least) to almost all calls except report calls. Dispatch sends a 2nd car on all traffic stops as well unless the primary officer advises otherwise.

[kurohyou]

I was not suppose to post in this forum... my fault...

[deputy x 2]

Single man units here also. I guess it would depend on the area that you patrol. No sense sending a two man car to a cold call / report. We get dispatched and if needed a cover car is also assigned.

[SRT936]

Were all single unit cars here as well. We ride to all calls. I work in an > 1800 square mile county so sometimes we have to hold up and wait for the back-up unit before rolling in on some calls. Other times, you roll in solo and take it as it comes.

[Ghostrider_RSA]

If it's a high crime area, I'd stick with two-up on a patrol vehicle, but then in Oz, I don't think you have the problems we have to deal with on a constant basis (armed, violent crime, multiple suspects with AKs etc.), and certianly not to same degree. So single-man patrol vehicles should be fine, provided everything is as above (well co-ordinated, good communications, enough Officers etc. etc.). You do get to cover more area with more vehicles on the road, but remember "two is one, one is none" - I prefer having a partner myself.

[Traffic_82]

I think (actually I'm pretty sure) that a study was conducted awhile back (year or so maybe) and it was posted on O.com. I do not remember the meat and potatoes of the study, but the end result ended up stating that Officer safety was actually increased by using solo cars.

If you're an administrator and love the touchy feely...it also said there was a decrease in citizen complaints.

As for here, it's solo 95% of the time, and I like it that way. Car is arranged for what I'm used to, use the front seat for all of your junk, do what you want to do when it's slow out.

As far as backup, we're always pretty close to each other (I'm talking mere blocks). When a hot call comes through, we just nextel each other and agree to meet at a nearby intersection or parking lot then proceed in.

Riding with other people can be fun, and a treat at times, but is a pain when you love traffic and he wants to cruise the shops on foot patrol and flirt with the ladies (yes there is a time and place, I just don't like doing it).

[Five-0fromSoCal]

I think (actually I'm pretty sure) that a study was conducted awhile back (year or so maybe) and it was posted on O.com. I do not remember the meat and potatoes of the study, but the end result ended up stating that Officer safety was actually increased by using solo cars.

If you're an administrator and love the touchy feely...it also said there was a decrease in citizen complaints.

As for here, it's solo 95% of the time, and I like it that way. Car is arranged for what I'm used to, use the front seat for all of your junk, do what you want to do when it's slow out.

As far as backup, we're always pretty close to each other (I'm talking mere blocks). When a hot call comes through, we just nextel each other and agree to meet at a nearby intersection or parking lot then proceed in.

Riding with other people can be fun, and a treat at times, but is a pain when you love traffic and he wants to cruise the shops on foot patrol and flirt with the ladies (yes there is a time and place, I just don't like doing it).

Ya, there's some other threads about this already. Officer safety might have been increased because one hoops aren't as aggressive and get into less s**t. Two man hoops are always safer. It's nice to have someone always watching your @ss.

[psotyrone]

my department prefers the one person patrol so that they can fill more cars for less. thankfully though many of the units are able to be reach within less then five minutes, however, when you get close to the state line your nearest back up maybe pa or even the state guys. it helps when the department is 1800 strong and there is at any given time approx. 15 cars in any of the precincts which doesn't include the supervisors or specialized units on crime suppression.

[luv2Bblu]

i've always worked in single man patrol...i like it but with the current department im with, we are sooooo short handed that sometimes you are FORCED to go on a hot call (shooting, stabbing, fight w/weapons) in a nasty projects by yourself. sure Dispatch will ask for any units to "hold their paperwork" or "clear a call", and sometimes they do, but other times you might have to wait til backup arrives...kinda sucks...big time pucker factor

[Sabre]

Single man cars here too. Dispatch sends two cars (at least) to almost all calls except report calls. Dispatch sends a 2nd car on all traffic stops as well unless the primary officer advises otherwise.

If two people are going to go to (almost) all calls and all traffic stops, why have to cars out burning gas and racking up milage? What's the reason for not putting the two officers in the same car?

In a "cop-dense" area, like a city, singles make sense. Backup can be just a minute away. That still could be a long time, but they can be on the way if you get a "feeling".

In areas that are more sparse, doubles make sense. In the county I work in, back-up might be thirty minutes out. All county cars double-up at night if they are going into the out-county, or else they stick around areas where township officers are nearby.

Personally, I'd love to double-up. I'm the only car in my huge and very busy township. I can't be calling for another car all the time. The other townships would quickly get very tired of it, and the county might be ten minutes away if I'm lucky. Doubling-up would make it sooooo much safer and easier for me to make stops in desolate areas or with multiple occupants, and conduct vehicle searches.

I don't really care about singles when going to calls. If it sounds too dangerous, just wait at a safe location until somebody else gets there.

[ais4122]

My department puts out about 140 sector cars, a shift. About 10 are double cars. Those are patrolling the high crime areas. If it wasnt about money, all cars would be doubled. And why not?

[K-9_Vet]

We also have single officer cars. Only times we have two officer cars is if an FTO is along, or for a special assignment. Otherwise other officers are usually w/in a few minutes for backup. If the call warrants more than one officer a second officer will respond.

[JSD73]

Single man units for our deputies, unfortunately, there are only about 6 units on duty at any given time...even though the county isn't that big, it can take a bit of time for a back up unit to get where he needs to be.

[Tasdave]

Hi

I too am in Australia. Our dept's powers that be just finished a study into single unit patrols due mainly to a sergeant who got shot twice in the back and once in face about 12 months ago while one up on a vehicle intercept.

I have the study emailed to me and can forward it on to you if you are interested. It makes some good recomendations.

FYI I work a single man station in the country that is why I was eamiled the report as I was asked for input. I enjoy the work however I believe the small town one up policing is far different again to in the city.

I am leaving next month anyway for traffic, hopefully a motorcycle. Private Message me if you want the report.

Cheers Dave

[hbliam]

Ya, there's some other threads about this already. Officer safety might have been increased because one hoops aren't as aggressive and get into less s**t. Two man hoops are always safer. It's nice to have someone always watching your @ss.

Agreed.

Officer safety doesn't go up... you just can't handle as much stuff as a two man unit. Thus the drop in use of force, complaints, etc. Our department pays one man units 10% more per shift during the night time hours. Why would you think they do that? Sure backup is close but if everyone is tied up a smart officer is not going to put four parolee's on his hood solo.

[sureshot015]

Like many said.... with 2 man units you end up with 2x the number of cars on the street: increased visibility. In terms of officer safety, it just means you have to be aware of what your zone partners are doing. For example if my zone partner calls out a traffic stop, ill start that way. Even if I dont check out on the stop, if my partner calls for a back, I'm already in the general area rather then on the other side of the zone. Also for hot calls, it just means that you have to be know how far away the next unit its and if neeed stage a block away untill the second unit is with you.