The Influence of Topography on Police Tactics
| Published date | 01 January 1950 |
| Author | Athelstan Popkess |
| Date | 01 January 1950 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X5002300106 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
The
Influence of Topography on
Police Tactics
By
CAPTAIN
ATHELSTAN
POPKESS
Chief
Constable
of
Nottingham
HAS topography any influence on police tactics? Yes.
It
is of the
first importance that the significance of the topography of any
particular area be thoroughly appreciated. Bridges over rivers and
canals, railway level-crossings, cross-roads and road junctions, etc., for
instance, may have a direct and important bearing on the deployment
of personnel. Examination of a typical urban area will make this
evident at once.
It
will be seen how topographical considerations must
in fact influence the tactical distribution of personnel.
It
is becoming increasingly necessary in these days of easy, swift,
and comparatively cheap travel to keep on terms with wrongdoers by
devising adequate tactical schemes to deal with 'them. Topography is
significant in making such plans. Whether in a rural or an
urban
area, a
large city or a small
borough;
whether in South Australia, Canada or
the Gold Coast ; the tactical considerations arising out of the physical
characteristics of the countryside are common to all areas. Rivers,
canals and railways are factors of prime importance in police operations.
It
is at bridges over, or tunnels under them, that supervision of vehicular
traffic can most easily be maintained.
They
should therefore be key
points in any tactical scheme.
As the Agility Scheme takes note of these things nationally, so
should local tactical schemes be based on them.
In
the Agility Scheme
the country has been divided up into Country Districts by a series of
'Lines,'
each of which is numbered, urban localities situated on a
,
Line'
being considered part of it.
In
populous districts there are
'Areas.'
Special arrangements have been made for
the
Metropolis.
Places such as railway crossings, road junctions, bridges, etc., known as
, Key Points,' have been selected for special supervision along each
,Line,' and on the borders of any city, borough or town situated on and
forming part of
that'
Line';
also on the borders of
each'
Area,' where
other motor vehicles would be able to cross that '
Line'
or enter that
,Area.'
Upon receipt of an ' Agility' message affecting
any'
Line'
or
,Area,' constables may be posted without delay at all ' Key
Poi~ts
'
on or in it. By this means it will be possible in the event of a serious
crime being committed to call out
any'
Line'
or '
Area'
which may be
of assistance in intercepting asuspected or wanted vehicle, or in tracing
36
To continue reading
Request your trial