General Patrol Tactics and Techniques

Security Guards will be called upon to observe the physical environment for changes and suspicious behavior. This objective is typically achieved by conducting an in-person or remote surveillance of the physical environment. Security Guards are expected to notice and monitor minor changes in order to make sound decisions when devising a plan of action.

Specific Duties of a Security Guard

The duties of a Security Guard can be categorized as being either static or patrol oriented.

Static duties involve those activities that the Security Guard does from a single place, usually a fixed post or location. Examples of fixed posts include gatehouses or building lobby entrances.

Patrols enable a guard to check the client’s property in an efficient manner. When the responsibilities of a Security Guard are reviewed and analysed, one of the most important factors is the need to identify and prevent situations that may negatively affect the client’s property.

This is achieved through the following means:

• Building and perimeter protection;
• Intrusion and access control;
• Alarm and surveillance systems;
• Fire prevention and control;
• Emergency and disaster planning;
• Prevention of theft;
• Accident and safety protection;
• Enforcement of rules, regulations and policies.

 

The skills necessary to accomplish the above-described tasks are varied; however there are some common elements.

Some of these elements include:

• Protecting buildings and grounds including all contents, occupants and visitors;
• Enforcing rules and regulations related to security in and around the site;
• Directing both foot and vehicular traffic in and around the site;
• Being familiar with all special and general orders relevant to the site;
• Supervising and enforcing all systems designed to monitor or identify personnel and vehicles entering the site or sectors within the site;
• Conducting inspections of packages and vehicles as required;
• Controlling access of people, product and vehicles onto the site, exiting the site and within the site;
• Conducting and reviewing safety inspections of all areas of the site;
• Maintaining the orderly operation of the site relative to its on-going safe operation;
• Recording and reporting all relevant information pertaining to the security of people, products and vehicles to the security supervisor or, where so designated, the client’s representative.

STANDING ORDERS

Standing orders are instructions that are of a permanent nature and apply to a specific site. They provide the Security Guard with direction regarding company policy.

 

POST ORDERS

The post order (or site order) is a document that delegates the task of security from the property owner to the Security Guard. The delegated authority includes not only the functions that the Security Guard is to carry out, but it also supplies the methods to be used in executing these functions. Post orders contain procedures, directives or instructions that are likely to be altered, deleted, or reviewed as required. Any instructions or directives that are dated must be adhered to. Outdated orders should be brought to the attention of the security supervisor or manager.

Other information post orders may contain:

(a) OPENING LETTER: should provide authority from the property management and provide a few details about the purpose and scope of objectives of the orders;

(b) INDEX: should be placed in such a way to accommodate revisions and amendments;

(c) EMERGENCY NUMBERS: a list of all emergency numbers should be available to the Security Guard. Fire, police, ambulance, maintenance, company officials involved in the provision of security services, your supervisor, are some of the numbers that must be kept current;

(d) SECURITY FORCE OPERATIONS: should include a schedule of the hours that each Security Guard is to work, the location of each post should be shown in this section as well as a brief description of the duties expected of each Security Guard;

(e) REPORTS: should indicate what type of report is required at the end of each shift, as well as acknowledging reports submitted by Security Guards regarding such matters as building security;

(f) RESTRICTED AREAS: Post orders will usually contain policies or provisions on all restricted areas within a facility. Some of these areas will be restricted to employees only. Documents and photographs should be kept on hand and checked prior to allowing individuals to enter restricted areas.

LIABILITY FOR BREACH OF DUTY

Security is required for a reason. Clients do not pay money to have a Security Guard fail to perform his or her duties. Security companies and the guards themselves may be liable for negligent conduct, such as:

• Failing to patrol as required;
• Failing to follow specific instructions while on patrol (such as checking boiler water levers, check valves, and so on);
• Sleeping on the job;
• Being impaired while on the job (alcohol or drugs);
• Falsifying records, including notebook entries;
• Leaving the site without permission.

High Visibility Patrol

High visibility patrols focus on making the Guard more visible to the people around them. By increasing the physical security presence of the guard on site, we effectively deter many illicit activities simply by increasing the likelihood that the offender will be identified and apprehended for his or her crimes. This protective approach is favored by many clients, particularly those with a strong focus on the company image and reputation.

Low Visibility Patrol

Low visibility patrols are used in areas where there is a large area to cover by a single guard, areas where there are hazards that pose a threat to the safety of the guard, and situations where serious criminal activities are taking place. During these types of patrols, the guard remains hidden from view, and collects as much information about the situation or event as possible so that it may be relayed to the appropriate parties to be dealt with. For example, if a guard receives a report of someone on site carrying a weapon, the guard should keep the individual in view while coordinating with the Police to ensure that the subject is captured in a safe and controlled manner.

FIXED POST AND PATROLS

Guards may be required to perform many different duties, two of the more important are at a fixed post and patrol.

 

FIXED POST

The fixed post is usually located at a point where both pedestrians and vehicles can be checked before they are allowed to enter or leave a facility. Other duties for a fixed post may include the following: guarding a vulnerable point, control of access, surveillance of some apparatus or certain installations, and identification control. It must be emphasized that the tasks of the guard are usually contained in the orders of the post to which they have been assigned. The guard must not deviate from them; any action that is taken must never be counter to the orders.

 

PATROL POST

If a Security Guard is assigned to a patrol, he or she will be required to perform the patrol of the designated area and return to the post when finished. This is known as “double duty”. To carry out this type of patrol, the guard must move about normally, following a prescribed frequency, covering the points to be checked. The guard must give a detailed report of these rounds, drawing attention to abnormal events and actions noted in each round tour.

The patrol function is one of the most complex, and most highly visible of all security activities. One of the first things a Security Guard should be aware of is that a uniformed patrol force goes a long way in the areas of crime prevention, the apprehension of individuals committing offences, and, in general, the preservation of the peace. It is the primary reason that security is hired.

Security Guards are hired to protect people, property and information. A uniformed guard will help to deter crime just by being in an area. When you do a patrol you widen the area that you are protecting.

 

ROAMING PATROL

This mobile form of patrol allows a Security Guard to be more flexible when covering a large area. Guards performing this function may be on foot, on bicycles, or in a vehicle. The theory is that, while assigned responsibility for a given area, they are not normally required to be in a specific part of that area at a specific time.

 

VEHICLE PATROL

This type of patrol normally covers areas that are too great to be covered on foot. The vehicles are usually equipped with radios or mobile telephones and commonly are in constant communication with the dispatcher. Precise instructions are given about the type of patrol required. The patrols will often include parking lots, storage yards, perimeter fence lines, outer perimeters and areas that are impractical to patrol on foot. When on vehicle patrol, guards may be required to transport, in emergencies, sick or injured persons to First-Aid stations and/or hospitals. When asked to escort valuable information, money or important shipments to outside locations, a Security Guard must know the Security Company’s policy in this regard. Most Security firms do not engage in escorting money because they may not carry the insurance to cover this activity. This is another matter that must be predetermined by the client and the Security Company, and made known via Post Orders to the Security Guard.

PURPOSE OF PATROLS

The main purpose of a patrol is to maintain the security of the premises under your authority. That is, a Security Guard is assigned a patrol function because it has been identified that in the circumstances it is the best way of protecting the property and people at the location. There are as many risks presented to persons and property as there are reasons for security. Like the “beat cop” of old, a patrol emphasizes the presence of security, acting as a general deterrent and discouraging lawbreakers.

Patrols by a well-trained individual with an eye for detail also increases the likelihood that hazards and emergencies will be detected, such as a boiler that is about to overheat or sparking electrical wires that may start a fire. The enormous cost of ensuring that these occurrences will be detected by other mechanisms (electronic monitoring systems, alarms, and so on) may make the use of security a more cost-effective alternative.

In addition, the presence of a person that possesses the capacity to immediately react to a wide range of situations also increases the responsibilities of a Security Guard.

As a Security Guard, you may be asked to watch for things like fires, offences being committed, damage to property, as well as those things that allow you to anticipate these types of occurrences.

PREPARATION FOR PATROL

Preparation for a patrol should always begin with a statement regarding the purpose of the patrol. For example, is the Security Guard expected to keep intruders away? Assist members of the public who appear confused or in need of assistance? To check boilers and other equipment, to make sure they are still functioning safely? The purpose of a patrol can change from time to time, even within a single shift.

The first time that a patrol is made, security may focus on breaches of the property by an intruder; the second time, to make sure that the safety equipment on machinery in the area is functioning properly; the third time, to check again for intruders and breaches of the work site, and so on.

Refocusing on the particular purpose for the patrol each time it is initiated will assist the Security Guard to concentrate on activities he or she is responsible for and will ultimately be assessed on. This is not to say that security should focus exclusively upon a single activity during the patrol, to the exclusion of all other things. For example, it would be ridiculous to ignore a raging fire in the building being guarded just because the Security Guard has been asked to perform a perimeter patrol to check for intruders. Remember that you are being hired to protect the persons and the property in the best way possible. A Security Guard will be expected to use common sense in the execution of his or her duties.

Site orders may assist the Security Guard in preparation for patrol. Site orders will often give clear and precise instructions as to what will be required of all guards while on patrol.

A Security Guard should take the time to familiarize him or herself with the work site upon arrival. Ask questions of other guards and of workers at the site about what, if anything, has changed since the last shift.  An effective Security Guard, like the proverbial Boy Scout, must be prepared for virtually everything. You cannot be adequately prepared if you do not have all the relevant facts.

A thorough knowledge of the geography of the area to be patrolled is essential. Determine, in advance, where telephones, water shut-off valves, and electrical and alarm panels are located. Find out where light switches are located, and where emergency lighting is provided. Know where emergency equipment, such as back-up generators, first aid kits, fire alarms, hydrants, and extinguishers, are located. These things should be as familiar to the guard as his or her own home. The Security Guard should know the best routes to follow in an emergency, selecting the simplest, most direct route with the least number of safety hazards.

Make a list of activities that need to be done while on a specific patrol. Devise your route in advance; including a map of the major check points, passageways, rooms, stairwells, doors and windows, and so on. Plan alternate routes in case specific areas are made inaccessible due to an emergency such as a fire, explosion, or chemical leak. The timing and route of the patrol should be varied to ensure that it does not become too routine or too predictable.

Ensure you possess the proper equipment including climate appropriate clothing, first-aid supplies and communication devices. Know what keys and other specialized equipment is necessary to conduct the patrol you undertake. Make sure that your communication equipment is operative before you start the patrol. Determine if it will operate in all of the areas that your duties will conceivably take you. Various things in the environment will restrict or eliminate the operation of cellular phones and radios. Be aware of these “dead zones” and where communications can be re-established. Some clients will not allow the use of cellular phones and radios in certain areas. For example, hospitals frequently prohibit the use of these devices because of the danger of interference with delicate electronic equipment. It is recommended that you determine, in advance, where these restricted areas are and comply with the employer’s request.

Make sure that a list of emergency numbers has been provided. Map out all evacuation routes and procedures keeping in mind specific hazards and danger zones in the area such as storage areas for flammable materials, explosives, and so on. For example, in the event of a fire, you would probably not want to walk past an open vat of gasoline, if at all possible.

 

FOOT PATROL

“An alert guard on foot patrol has a better chance to prevent crime and make apprehensions at the scene of crimes in progress than do motorized patrol guards.”

Some people reading the above statement may feel the position taken is too strong and that other methods of patrolling are equally as effective. In some cases this is true. However, most crimes that can be directly affected by enforcement activities (mischief, robbery, break and enter, shoplifting, and car theft) take place in the public eye. A vigorous foot patrol can affect these crimes directly through prevention or immediate apprehension of the offender.

Foot patrol is the most common method of patrol in the security industry. It is normally utilized where it is not possible to provide the same protective coverage through other methods such as motorized patrol or electronic surveillance. Virtually all of the senses of the Security Guard (sight, hearing, smell, and touch) may conceivably be used during foot patrol.

Frequent “sidewalk” crimes, such as damage to storefronts, purse snatching, drunkenness, vagrancy, and loitering, and areas known for high concentrations of vehicular or pedestrian traffic (such as around bars and areas of prostitution) may also require foot patrol. Large suburban shopping centres, shopping malls and pedestrian-only shopping streets where vehicles are not permitted may necessitate frequent foot patrol as well.

As with every patrol technique that an employer or a client wishes security to use, certain advantages and disadvantages are apparent in foot patrol. They can be summarized as follows:

 

DISADVANTAGES OF A FOOT PATROL:

• Restricted mobility and area of coverage;
• Length of time to patrol;
• Foul weather prevents or curtails some activities;
• Capacity for pursuit is limited;
• Difficulty in carrying equipment such as reports, forms, and first-aid kits;
• Communication may present a problem, unless portable radio or telephone equipment is used;
• Supervision of foot patrols is difficult.

 

ADVANTAGES OF A FOOT PATROL:

• Is highly visible;
• Makes more person-to-person contact and therefore has a greater opportunity to improve security via community relations;
• Because the patrol guard knows more people on the beat, there are more opportunities to develop sources of information;
• Greater familiarity with the physical characteristics of the beat, such as places for offenders to hide and danger zones;
• Knowledge of patterns and characteristics of an area may help to anticipate an incident before it becomes more difficult to control;
• All senses may be used;
• Ability to access smaller spaces such as stairwells.

VEHICULAR PATROL

Patrol from a vehicle, such as a bicycle, car, motorcycle, truck, or snow machine, enables a Security Guard to conduct his or her duties by undertaking a more brief visual check of the area he or she is assigned to protect. Larger sites, or perhaps even multiple sites, can be covered by a single guard with a vehicle. Each method of vehicular travel may have different advantages and disadvantages. For example, a Security Guard operating a motor vehicle may be able to carry a larger amount of equipment than a guard on a bicycle. A bicycle, however, is far quieter and may provide access to areas where a motor vehicle cannot go such as through a park.

 

DISADVANTAGES OF A VEHICULAR PATROL:

• The vehicle may be restricted to particular areas, such as roads or paths;
• Vision may be partially restricted inside a vehicle;
• Foul weather may prevent or curtail some activities;
• Capacity for pursuit may be limited under some circumstances;
• The engine noise made by a motor vehicle may mask some noises or alert others of the presence of security;
• Sealed cabs on some vehicles may prevent the detection of some dangerous situations (for example, the leaking chemicals that a guard on foot would smell might not be noticed by someone inside a vehicle);
• Lower level of interaction with people.

 

ADVANTAGES OF A VEHICULAR PATROL:

• Motor patrol is highly visible;
• Larger areas can be covered in a shorter period of time;
• Speed in responding to other areas of the site increased;
• Additional equipment may be carried;
• Protection from foul weather – rain, snow, extreme temperature.

There is an added responsibility for the Security Guard when they use a vehicle for patrol. The vehicle must function properly, and not become a hindrance as they complete their patrol – a fundamental pre-check is recommended.  You may be required to fill out a form such as the one below:

 

VEHICLE INSPECTION LOG

Guard’s name _______________________________ Date ________________________

Mileage end ____________________ Shift ___________________________

Mileage start ___________________

Mileage total ___________________

Checks

Lights:

Headlights ?    Brake lights ? Tail lights ?     Turn signals ?

 

Fluids

Transmission ?            Brake ?           Rad water ?     Power steering ?         Belts and hoses ?

 

Damage

During your initial vehicle inspection, did you find any new or unreported damage?

Yes ? No ?

If yes, describe the damage __________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

While you were on duty was there any damage to the vehicle?

Yes ? No ?

If yes, please attach damage report.

 

Fluids

Did you add gas or any other fluids? Yes ? No ?

If yes, please indicate amount and cost.

Fluid type	# of liters	Cost

Security Guard Signature__________________________________________

 

SURVEILLANCE (NON-MOBILE PATROL)

Also known as visual or fixed patrols, surveillance (with the assistance of technology), enables a guard to remain stationary but keep a constant watch over a specific area. For example, an entrance/ exit point may be kept under continual observation, or an entire complex can be kept under watch with the assistance of mirrors, security cameras and fences.

DISADVANTAGES

• Cameras and fences may be circumvented or defeated;
• All areas cannot be kept under continuous observation – blind spots will exist despite careful planning;
• Reliance on equipment may fail, especially in adverse weather conditions;
• Personnel must concentrate on one area for long periods of time;
• Reliance on only one sense – vision;
• Response may be restricted to calling Police or internal personnel, especially if the guard is not on site but is monitoring from a different location;
• None or limited interaction with the community.

ADVANTAGES

• Access and egress (entry and exit) of the site readily controlled;
• Difficult for individuals to enter the premises and physically attack the guard;
• Guard station or highly-visible camera placement acts to deter would-be perpetrators;
• Lower number of guards required to contain the area.

 

WHAT TO WATCH FOR WHILE ON PATROL

Following are some general guidelines for what a Security Guard might be wise to do while he or she is on patrol. The list should not be taken as a list of absolutes; the Security Guard should be prepared to develop his or her activities to suit the specific location and job function he or she has been assigned.

 

1. Use a Notebook

All unusual circumstances must be recorded in the Security Guard’s notebook. This is why it is a good idea for a Security Guard to carry a notebook and pen along on patrol. Remember to make notes at the time observations are made, or as soon as possible thereafter. Add the date and time of the observation and add when you recorded the observation.

For example, if a suspicious vehicle is spotted in the area, the Security Guard will make notes about the description of the vehicle, its licence plate number, and a description of any occupants of the vehicle when it is observed.

 

2. Daylight Patrols

A Security Guard should strive to be conspicuous while on patrol during the daytime to obtain the maximum deterrent effect. The idea is to be seen and to make your presence known. Members of the public may see a uniformed Security Guard as an individual in authority with special knowledge of an area. A Security Guard who is patrolling a shopping centre or maintaining a post in a kiosk in the lobby of a building may see anything from parents searching for lost children to visitors seeking help to find a particular part of the building. Expect this type of attention and be prepared for it to come at the worst possible time.

As said in other chapters, a Security Guard is often perceived as the representative of the entire security industry. A Security Guard who yells, uses emergency equipment such as radios, intercom systems and flashing dome lights without cause makes a poor ambassador and will not add to the public perception of security. In short, do not act unprofessionally.

Many criminal acts, including assault, shoplifting (theft), robbery, and break and enter, commonly occur during daylight hours. Make an effort to know the people that you will be seeing and dealing with on a daily basis. They will be able to provide you with a wealth of information, or perhaps with a signal, alert you to a special problem without announcing it to the entire store.

 

3. Look for the unusual

As you conduct your patrol, look for things that appear out of place or don’t make sense. For example, when the store clerk who generally waves to you as you walk by inexplicably doesn’t look up from the cash register, it may be because he or she is particularly engrossed in the sale they are making – or it may be because there is a robbery in progress. The person moving from car to car in the parking lot might be trying to find an unlocked vehicle to steal from, or he or she might be lost and looking for their own vehicle. The person running through the shopping mall might be fleeing with stolen goods, or he or she might be running to catch the bus. The person sitting in a car outside a building might be waiting for a passenger to come out, or he or she might be “standing six” for accomplices breaking into the premises.

The point of all of these scenarios is to demonstrate that the number of things that could draw your attention is potentially unlimited. Look for the unusual and the out of the ordinary, no matter how small or insignificant. Things like pry marks on doors, hinges, or windows, broken glass in or near windows, sparking wires, flashing alarm panels, fire or smoke, running water, or broken pipes, and unidentified vehicles, may be out of place and suggest that a closer review of the situation should be performed.

 

Special attention should be paid to fire and safety hazards that are uncovered during patrol. Are there a sufficient number of fire extinguishers available to react appropriately in an emergency? Are they appropriately placed and fully charged? Are any emergency exits inoperable, blocked or damaged? Are there hazardous and/or flammable goods stored on or near the premises? Are floors covered in something that makes them slippery? Are stairwells well lit? Is there construction, an excavation or some other specific hazard that might pose a danger to people or property? Are there fumes that might suggest a problem has developed or that might pose a danger? By drawing attention to these types of details, a Security Guard is better prepared to warn people of something that has happened, or, in the event of an emergency, to protect them from something that might happen.

 

4. Patrols at night

Patrols during the night-time should actually be renamed “patrolling during situations of poor illumination”. What this genre of patrols refers to is situations where security is able to take advantage of darkness and use that condition to observe what is happening around him or her to better protect the persons and property that he or she has been hired to guard.

A Security Guard that wishes to use this type of patrol technique would be well advised to inspect the area to be guarded during daylight hours. Obtaining the proper equipment for a night-time patrol is also essential. At the very least, in addition to climate appropriate clothing, the patrolling member should carry a working flashlight.

In these circumstances, a Security Guard on patrol, who wishes to remain unobserved while viewing the surroundings, would best be advised to walk next to buildings and spend time in shadows or darkened areas. While walking, standing, sitting, or parking, and listening quietly, an individual may better hear things happening that affect the persons or property he or she has been hired to protect.

Again, look for anything unusual or out of place, such as unlocked doors that should be locked, strange vehicles, a light out in a building that is usually left on, loitering strangers, things stacked near doorways and other places they do not belong, strange smells, from chemicals to smoke, and so forth.

 

5. Checking Doors and Buildings

Checking the security of buildings may be one of your primary duties. The exterior of a building should be checked first. The Security Guard should look for signs of forced entry and signs of fire such as flames, smoke, and excessive heat.

If possible and appropriate, the roof should also be checked, not only for signs of forced entry, but also for equipment loss, damage, or failure.

When checking a door, the Security Guard should not simply grasp the handle and shake vigorously. This will alert anyone inside that someone is there and has discovered their means of entrance, and likely, their means of escape. Instead, the door should be first checked to see if it was forcibly entered. If needed, a flashlight may be used to look at the hinges, the latch, bolt, and lock for fresh damage or pry marks. When the door is tested to see if will open, it should not be jerked open, but instead opened gently and for only a short distance.

If the door opens, when it is supposed to be locked, the Security Guard will know that someone may have entered the premises and might still be inside. The investigating Security Guard should not enter the building alone unless he or she believes that someone’s life is at stake. Instead, they should always call for assistance or alert backup that the door was found open, even if they believe that it was left unlocked by someone who had legitimate access and was careless in securing the door. While waiting for help to arrive, the door, window, or other points of entry should be kept under close observation.

 

6. Smash and Grabs

This colourful description refers to the situation where someone smashes a display window in a store or business, reaches inside, and grabs merchandise on display. When a Security Guard finds a display window smashed open, he or she should look from the outside (without touching anything if possible) to see if there is any missing merchandise or evidence that the premises have been entered. Evidence of missing merchandise might include an empty display case, or an outline in the dust of something that has been removed. Evidence that a perpetrator has entered the premises might include a larger hole in the window or door that might permit entry, items knocked from the display case into the store, footprints inside the display case or inside the store, or additional damage to the contents of the premises itself.

In any event, police should be contacted at once. It is your job to report and their job to enforce the law.

NIGHT PATROLS

You must take special care when you are patrolling at night. Here are some specific things to remember:

1. Use your flashlight effectively – Turn off your flashlight when it is not needed. If you must leave it on while walking, carry it in front of you at arm’s length away from your body. In this way, if someone attacks you in the area of the light they will not hit your body. Get in the habit of not holding your flashlight in the hand that you write with so you can use your dominant hand to operate your radio or do other things.

 

2. Use caution with windows and glass doors – Try not to pass directly in front of them. At night your body will be visible as a silhouette. Don’t be a target. If you must pass, walk by quickly. Don’t approach a dark window or door and look inside. Shine your flashlight before approaching and stand to one side when observing.

3. Be careful entering a dark room – You should not just walk into a dark room, especially if you are investigating something suspicious. Open the door first by pushing it all the way open (someone could be behind the door) and shine your flashlight around the whole room before your enter. Identify yourself as security and listen for sounds. If you get a bad feeling or something doesn’t look right, do not enter without back up. Call for back up and then stand back and observe until back up arrives.

 

4. Know when to be seen and when to be heard – It is important for you to use good judgment and common sense when you patrol at night. At many sites you will want to patrol quietly and walk in the shadows close to buildings. If you are patrolling in a vehicle, minimize any noise from your engine, brakes and tires, and don’t slam doors.

Generally, you do not want to set yourself up to be a target by being overly noisy and announcing your presence. If you see anything suspicious happening, you can stay out of sight, make your observations, and report the activity.

If you are patrolling alone in an area where you feel uneasy, you may want to make some sound, such as humming or jingling keys. This will let employees know that you are around. You would also not want to surprise one or more criminals in an act, especially if you are blocking their escape route. Making some noise will alert criminals to your presence and deter them from continuing with the crime. It will give them the option of fleeing without harm to you. You can then record any information you have about the events and suspects, and use it to help the police.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SUSPECT THAT A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED?

Get help. Call the police. It is your job to report and their job to enforce the law. Notify your dispatcher and use other guards for back up whenever possible. If no other guards are available as back-up, you should wait for the police whenever possible. In some situations you may need to help someone before the police arrive. An example of this is giving someone first aid.