The approachability of police officers patrolling on foot: A pilot study

Abstract

This paper examines the frequency with which foot patrol officers at a single sub‐divisional station were approached by the public under one of two conditions. The independent variable is whether the patrolling is undertaken by an officer patrolling alone or when ‘paired’ with a second officer. The dependent variable is expressed in the form of a measure of Public Initiated Encounters (PIEs). Statistical examination of the results shows that officers patrolling alone are approached significantly more often when patrolling alone than when ‘paired’. Results are discussed in the context of the current debate about the role of police. In particular, they are examined in the context of the paradox posed by Posen (1994) who points to the anomaly that whilst increases in police‐community contact are being sought by chief officers and others, any additional calls on police time and expertise brought about through expanded contact, must be set against finite, or perhaps shrinking, budgets.