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400 - Patrol Functions

400.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The purpose of this policy is to define the patrol function, the main function of the HCSD and address intraorganizational cooperation and information sharing.

400.1.1 FUNCTION

Deputies will generally patrol in usually marked vehicles, but also authorized unmarked vehicles, and mounted patrol units via horseback. Patrol assigned jurisdictional areas of Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department, respond to calls for assistance, act as a deterrent to crime, enforce state and local laws and respond to emergencies 24 hours per day seven days per week.

Patrol will generally provide the following services within the limits of available resources:

  • Patrol that is directed at the prevention of criminal acts, traffic violations and collisions, the maintenance of public order, and the discovery of hazardous situations or conditions
  • Crime prevention activities such as residential inspections, business inspections, community presentations, etc.
  • Calls for service, both routine and emergency in nature
  • Investigation of both criminal and non-criminal acts
  • The apprehension of criminal offenders
  • Community Oriented Policing and Problem-Solving activities such as citizen assists and individual citizen contacts of a positive nature
  • The sharing of information between the Patrol and other division within the office, as well as other outside governmental agencies
  • The application of resources to specific problems or situations within the community, which may be improved or resolved by Community Oriented Policing and problem-solving strategies
  • Traffic direction and control

400.2 INFORMATION SHARING

To the extent feasible, all information relevant to the mission of the Office should be shared among all divisions and specialized units on a timely basis. Members should be provided with opportunities on a regular basis to share information during the daily briefings and to attend briefings of other divisions or specialized units.

Additionally, information should be shared with outside agencies and the public in conformance with office policies and applicable laws. Members are encouraged to share information with other units and divisions.

400.2.1 PATROL BRIEFINGS

Patrol supervisors, detective sergeants, and special unit sergeants are encouraged to share information as much as possible. All supervisors and/or deputies will be provided an opportunity to share information as time permits.

400.3 CROWDS, EVENTS AND GATHERINGS

Deputies may encounter gatherings of people, including but not limited to, civil demonstrations, civic, social and business events, public displays, parades and sporting events. Deputies should monitor such events as time permits in an effort to keep the peace and protect the safety and rights of those present. A patrol supervisor should be notified when it becomes reasonably foreseeable that such an event may require increased monitoring, contact or intervention.

Deputies responding to an event or gathering that warrants law enforcement involvement should carefully balance the speech and association rights of those present with applicable public safety concerns before taking enforcement action. Generally, deputies should consider seeking compliance through advisements and warnings for minor violations and should reserve greater enforcement options for more serious violations or when voluntary compliance with the law is not achieved. Deputies are encouraged to contact organizers or responsible persons to seek voluntary compliance that may address relevant public safety/order concerns.

Deputies should consider enforcement of applicable state and local laws, such as Penal Code 602.1 (obstructing or intimidating business operators), when the activity blocks the entrance or egress of a facility or location and when voluntary compliance with the law is not achieved.

400.4 POLICY

The Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department provides patrol services 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will prioritize responses to requests for emergency services using available resources to enhance the safety of the public and office members.

400.5 FUNCTION

Patrol will generally be conducted by uniformed deputies in clearly marked law enforcement vehicles or on mounted patrol units in assigned jurisdictional areas of Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department. There are exceptions to this with mounted patrol units and unmarked vehicles as well.

The function of patrol is to respond to calls for assistance and reports of criminal activity, act as a deterrent to crime, enforce state and local laws, identify community needs, provide support and assistance to the community and respond to emergencies.

Patrol services include, but are not limited to:

  • Responding to emergency calls for service.
  • Apprehending criminal offenders.
  • Providing mutual aid and assistance to other agencies for emergency and law enforcement-related activities.
  • Preventing criminal acts, traffic violations and collisions, maintaining public order and discovering hazardous situations or conditions.
  • Responding to reports of criminal and non-criminal acts.
  • Responding to routine calls for service, such as public assistance or public safety.
  • Carrying out crime prevention activities such as residential inspections, business inspections and community presentations.
  • Carrying out community-oriented policing and problem-solving activities including the application of resources to improve or resolve specific problems or situations and contacting or assisting members of the public in a positive way.
  • Directing and controlling traffic.
  • Patrolling sub-sections, areas, businesses, of a particular district
  • Checking emergency equipment upon occasion
  • Communicating with Dispatch of Deputy Sheriff or Mounted Patrol Unit or K9 Unit whereabouts Incident Command System
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