Police on patrol pursue what three goals?

• A. Investigation, Prosecution, Deterrence
• B. Control, Command, Compliance
• C. Prevention, Deterrence, Apprehension
• D. Service, Support, Security

Answer: (C)

Patrol work centers on reducing crime opportunities, discouraging crime, and removing offenders from the streets.

Prevention means taking steps to stop crimes from happening in the first place. That includes being visible in high-crime areas, engaging with the community, and solving problems that create opportunities for crime so those opportunities don’t exist as often.

Deterrence is about making crime seem too risky for would-be offenders. A strong, visible presence, quick responses, and clear enforcement signals raise the perceived likelihood of being caught, which discourages criminal activity even before an incident occurs.

Apprehension is the action taken when crimes occur or when suspects are identified. It involves stopping, detaining, and arresting offenders, collecting evidence, and ensuring they are brought into custody. This reinforces that crime has consequences and supports future deterrence.

The other options don’t capture this all-around patrol aim. One set focuses on investigation and legal processes that happen after an incident, not the day-to-day patrol functions. Another emphasizes control or purely organizational terms, which don’t reflect the three-pronged approach of preventing, deterring, and apprehending. The last set focuses on service and security without the enforcement element that apprehension provides.