Which of the following is not one of the three traditional ways policing work is done in the US?

• A. Patrol and response
• B. Investigative work
• C. Community policing
• D. Random routine patrol

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is how policing tasks are commonly categorized into broad functional areas. Patrol and response, investigative work, and community policing represent the traditional ways police work is organized: everyday presence and rapid reaction on the streets; solving crimes through investigation; and a collaborative, community-focused approach to preventing problems.

Random routine patrol isn’t a separate category of police work; it describes how patrols might be carried out within the broader patrol and response function. In other words, patrol and response encompasses routine patrolling, quick responses to calls, and visible deterrence. The other two options map onto recognized, distinct functions: investigative work is about following leads and gathering evidence to solve crimes; and community policing reflects a proactive, partnership-based philosophy aimed at preventing problems by engaging with the community.

So the statement that fits best as not being one of the traditional ways is the notion of a standalone random routine patrol, because it’s more about how patrols are conducted within the patrol-and-response function rather than a separate policing category.