Which patrol type has you patrol in a manner that everyone knows you are on the job, but no one knows where you will be next?

• A. Random
• B. Preventative
• C. Selective
• D. Proactive

Answer: (A)

Random patrol focuses on being visibly on the job while keeping your exact location unpredictable. The idea is that officers are always present, which deters crime through visible enforcement, but criminals can’t predict where you’ll be next, so they can’t easily plan around a fixed pattern. This unpredictability disrupts routine activities of offenders and reduces opportunities for crime.

Preventative patrol aims for deterrence through routine, visible presence but follows a more predictable pattern. Selective patrol concentrates resources in high-crime areas or times, rather than across all areas. Proactive patrol emphasizes taking initiative to prevent crime or solve problems, often through targeted actions based on intelligence, not just where you’ll appear next.