A Study of Patrol Officer Competencies: the Relationship Between Environment and Performance

Patrol officers typically work in three environmental settings, urban, suburban and rural. Working in different settings can produce different performance demands and characteristics. This book sought to determine what the general competencies were for all patrol officers. In addition, this book sought to learn the influence performance environment had on patrol officer orientations. The core tasks and duties of the patrol officer have essentially remained the same since the early nineteenth century. In the United States with the passage of the homeland security act in 2002 the role of the patrol officer has expanded to include defending the homeland. A component of the act mandates patrol officers working in various performance environments converge together to form a regional disaster response. This book takes a look at aspects of patrol officer competencies that can affect their interoperability when moving between performance environments while responding to catastrophic events.