The patrol unit for a police agency typically has the highest personnel count and most active movement within a police facility. While each shift of officers are not categorized as “residents” of the building like other departments, they do require a high degree of analysis related to work flow, movement, and operational efficiency in the planning of a police facility. It’s important to design a facility that allows each patrol unit quick and easy access to the areas they need.

Three Touchstones to Improve Street Time

Patrol units typically have three basic touchstones within a facility as they perform their shift duties:

• Area for report writing, assistance from a supervisor, and roll-call/briefing
• "Bag-n-tag" area with evidence lockers for dropping off evidence and property
• Area for prisoner processing

Working with stakeholders to evaluate a patrol department, we find that the more compact and efficient we can design these three “patrol triangle” touchstones, the better the unit’s utilization and improved street time. Think of it like a “kitchen triangle,” where the refrigerator, stove, and sink are strategically positioned. When placed in a kitchen correctly, your time preparing food, cooking, and cleaning is minimized.

Inclusive Considerations: Design Excellence and Function

Assessing a patrol unit’s function and their specific tasks must take precedence over casually compartmentalizing space for a department and/or just the building’s aesthetics. At Dewberry, we don’t believe design excellence and functional solutions are exclusive of each other. The goal for a patrol unit is to minimize time spent in the building and maximize time on the street. In order to do this, a successful design solution for any police facility begins with a solid patrol triangle.