What should you do at the beginning of your patrol to ensure you are alert for any changes?

To maintain a vigilant and responsive state during a patrol, assessing the environment and taking notes is crucial. When you begin your patrol, evaluating the surroundings allows you to identify any immediate anomalies or changes since your last visit. This proactive assessment helps in recognizing irregularities that might indicate security concerns, such as unauthorized individuals or changes in the environment that could pose risks.

Taking notes during this assessment serves a dual purpose. It not only reinforces your observations for future reference but also helps in documenting any incidents or changes that occur during your shifts. This documentation can be valuable for reporting incidents and maintaining a comprehensive record of patrol activities, which contributes to overall security effectiveness.

While reviewing post orders is essential for understanding your responsibilities, and establishing a proper mindset is necessary for maintaining focus, being actively observant at the start of your patrol is foundational for ensuring readiness to respond to any situations that may arise. Marking your patrol route can help in navigation but doesn’t actively enhance your alertness to your immediate environment.