What is the difference between investigation and patrol duties?

The distinction between investigation and patrol duties primarily revolves around their objectives and timing in the policing process.

Investigation duties are typically post-incident, meaning they occur after a crime has been reported or suspected. Investigators analyze evidence, interview witnesses, and gather information to solve crimes that have already occurred. This requires a deep dive into the circumstances surrounding an event, working to understand what happened, how it happened, and who was involved.

On the other hand, patrol duties are proactive. Officers on patrol are often the first responders to incidents and aim to prevent crime before it happens. They actively monitor their assigned areas, engage with the community, and deter potential criminal behavior through their visible presence. The goal of patrol is to maintain public safety and peace in real-time.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of the difference between investigation and patrol. Covert versus overt tactics relates to how the work is carried out but does not define their fundamental purposes. The assertion about paperwork does not reflect the reality that both duties involve documentation, though the nature and extent of paperwork can vary. Finally, investigations do usually require some level of police presence, especially when collecting evidence or interviewing witnesses at crime scenes.