According to police administration, what is the effect of random patrol?

• A. Increased efficiency
• B. A sense of omnipresence
• C. Decreased public trust
• D. Reduced crime immediately

Answer: (B)

Random patrol is about creating the perception that police are everywhere, even if patrol patterns aren’t more extensive than usual. By mixing up routes and times so officers could appear in many places at unpredictable moments, the police aim to signal a constant, wide-reaching presence. This sense of omnipresence can deter potential offenders who fear being observed anywhere, at any time, rather than knowing exactly where patrols will be. It’s not primarily about making patrols more efficient, winning immediate drops in crime, or automatically boosting public trust; the emphasis is on the deterrent effect created by the impression that police could be watching anywhere.