The Perth Police Service has deployed a new policing model in 2008 to compliment the present level of service delivery to the public. In general terms, task oriented policing (T.O.P.) is the purposeful and structured deployment of personnel to conduct predetermined proactive tasks within each of the seven town zones. The T.O.P. model provides for the assignment of specific responsibilities to each officer within a specific geographic zone. This model includes a problem solving format, school liaison, annual goals and objectives determined by officers for each zone and annual performance appraisals directly linked to goals and results.

The task oriented policing model fosters specific tasks for zone patrol. For example, municipal by-law parking enforcement may address parking on boulevards and sidewalks. The identified task list may reference municipal by-laws that speak to property standards, bicycles and skateboarders on sidewalks. Task lists may also invoke Highway Traffic Act responses to deal with school and community safety zones, bicycle helmet compliance, school bus safety and aggressive driving. These task lists can be tailored to speak to the specific needs of the community member such as a school. The task list is also developed in conjunction with zone’s broader priorities. Therefore, an officer involved in the downtown zone may focus on foot patrol duties that promote crime prevention strategies and law enforcement compliance techniques that appeal to the needs of the business owners.

The task oriented policing model provides for repeat call analysis as well as crime and intelligence analysis to identify residential and business concerns. Information obtained is developed into zone priorities which are set in a specific fashion to promote a coordinated response. This response is aligned with the needs of the Perth community and the Service’s overall business plan.

Task Oriented Policing   (T.O.P.)

T.O.P.

Task Oriented Policing

Tasks tailored to speak to the specific needs of the community.

Specific responsibilities to each officer within a specific geographic zone.