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Date: 09/08/88 Revision: 02/07/20 Reviewed: 09/22/24 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHAD CHRONISTER, SHERIFF STANDARD OPERATING PROCED URE Number: DPS 621.00 Page: 1 of 2 SUBJECT: DIRECTED PATROL ACTIVITY SYSTEM I. PURPOSE : The purpo se of this standard operating procedure is to establish guidelines for the Directed Patrol Activity System. II. SCOPE : This procedure shall apply to all Department of Patrol Services personnel when initiating, reviewing , or assigning a Directed Patrol Ac tivity. III. DISCUSSION : Directed Patrol Activity is an extension of Community -Oriented Policing and is another alternative to random patrol practices. Directed Patrol Activity allows deputies to conduct a specific assignment or investigation without b eing interrupted by other calls -for- service dispatches. Directed Patrol Activity dispatches may require an expenditure of time well in excess of normally received calls for service and similar to other Community -Oriented Policing assignments. IV. PROCED URE : A. Directed Patrol Activity ( DPA) Categories 1. Formal DPA: A structured activity involving a specific course of action at a given location(s) which targets a specific criminal problem or need for law enforcement service. a. May utilize as many dep uties as needed to accomplish a specific goal. b. Time needed to accomplish a Formal DPA will be determined , monitored , and adjusted by a supervisor , if necessary . c. While dispatched to a Formal DPA, deputies should not be responsible for responding to ot her non -emergency calls for service unless exigent circumstances exist or re-directed by a supervisor . 2. Informal DPA: A non -structured activity which normally does not involve complex situations or high priority goals and may be adequately addressed by the patrol deputy on an interim basis between calls for service. This type of activity depends upon unit availability and calls for service. Requests for security checks (vacation watches) are also considered Informal DPAs. B. Initiation of Directed Pat rol Activity Assignment s 1. DPA requests are primarily made by deputies based upon their knowledge of specific crime or the need for service problems in their zones. Deputies are presumed to be most familiar with the particular problems in their assigned zones and are best equipped to formulate a successful solution to those problems. 2. DPAs may be requested by supervisors, detectives , or other personnel based upon their knowledge of specific problems or needs for law enforcement services. DPS 621.00 09/20/21 Page 2 of 2 C. Forms, R ecords, and Dispatches associated with Directed Patrol Activities 1. Informal DPAs shall be requested via the "Directed Patrol Activity Request" form (SO 3070 ). a. When a DPA request is approved by a supervisor, a CAD call or incident report number shal l be documented on the request form. (1) If an incident report has been originated, the incident report number shall be used on the DPA request form. (2) If an incident report has not been originated, a CAD call number shall be generated and used on the DPA request form. (3) A supervisor shall determine whether the DPA is “formal” or “informal ” based on the nature of the problem. (4) If the desired results are not obtained during the specified timeframe , the DPA may be continued/extended . 2. Informa l DPA assignments shall be forwarded to the responsible squad supervisor, and the original request will be added to the “Directed Patrol Logbook ,” housed in the administrative desk area. The Administrative Desk Deputy or CSA will log the request into the CAD system. a. Supervisor s of each squad having an a ctive Informal DPA shall assign a deputy to perform the activity. b. Deputies assigned to an Informal DPA shall clear same with appropriate comments describing any activity relating to the DPA, as wel l as comments relating to what actions were taken. 3. Formal DPA assignments shall be entered into the CAD system by an assigned Administrative Desk Deputy or CSA located at the respective district from which the request originated. Each dispatch s hall be entered as a Call Type 700 containing comments and i nstructions . The call number shall be entered on the DPA request form. a. Deputies assigned a Formal DPA shall clear same with appropriate comments describing any activity relating to the DPA, as we ll as comments relating to what actions were taken. Michael Hannaford , Colonel Department of Patrol Services Amends or Supersedes : ENF 621.00