Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

What method is used to predict crime occurrences in specific areas?

1. Random Patrol

2. Directed Patrol

3. Community Patrol

4. Static Patrol

The correct answer is: Directed Patrol

Directed patrol is a proactive policing method aimed at predicting and reducing crime occurrences in specific areas. This technique involves the strategic allocation of police resources to particular geographic locations based on crime data and trends. By analyzing where and when crimes are likely to happen, law enforcement can focus their efforts on these hotspots, thus increasing their presence and, ideally, their effectiveness in deterring criminal activity. This method is based on the principles of crime prevention through environmental design and effective resource management. The goal is to enhance public safety by addressing problem areas systematically rather than relying on random or routine patrols. As a result, directed patrol can lead to a decrease in crime rates and contribute to community trust and safety. In contrast, other policing methods such as random patrol do not focus resources based on crime data, which can lead to inefficient deployments. Community patrol emphasizes relations with residents, while static patrol involves fixed-position officers that might not respond as dynamically to fluctuating crime patterns. Thus, directed patrol stands out for its focus on data-driven strategies to predict and manage crime occurrences effectively.