Moreover, studies of police subcultures tend to be dated. It is often expressed that the full implementation of community policing will not occur until some of these core elements diminish in the depth of their influence on police culture. The police have three basic functions. Police Discretion Discretion in policing, in the broadest sense, refers to decisions police make involving the arrests. Order maintenance is also called the officer s peacemaking function.
Older police tend to invoke the law less than younger officers.
Service Function Police are also expected to be available to provide important services. The patrol function is termed the backbone of policing. Patrol officers perform each of the primary policing functions. Proactive patrol is also the central component aspect of community policing. Patrol is usually conducted by car, but with the growth of community policing more police patrol is conducted on foot, bike, horseback, etc.