MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

When patrolling an area with ongoing robberies at a bus stop, what type of patrol is being conducted?

1. Directed

2. Proactive

3. Reactive

4. Covert

The correct answer is: Directed

The type of patrol being conducted in an area experiencing ongoing robberies at a bus stop is best described as "directed" patrol. Directed patrol focuses on a specific area or type of crime—here, the robberies at the bus stop—based on intelligence or patterns that have been identified. This method allows law enforcement to allocate resources more effectively to address specific problems or crime trends, enhancing the likelihood of preventing further incidents and apprehending offenders already engaging in criminal activity. The other types of patrol serve different purposes. Proactive patrol involves taking initiative to prevent crime before it happens, but it does not have the same specific focus on a current problem area as directed patrol. Reactive patrol typically involves responding to calls for service or incidents after they occur, rather than actively monitoring an area for ongoing crime like in this scenario. Covert patrol, on the other hand, implies a hidden or undercover approach, which is not indicated in the question regarding visibility and presence at the bus stop to deter criminal activity.