Originally Posted by
RubeRad
I read once that urban police are trained, if they're trying to get to an emergency scene, and they run up against an intersection with traffic they can't get through, just turn. Turn first and figure out how to get back on track later. Just keep moving.
I did 26 years at a large police department in Ohio and taught at the academy, local and state; I've never heard that before reading it here. Knowing your beat/city on a detailed basis is hammered into the recruits from day one so it's kinda the same thing I guess. We do have areas in the city called "Defensible Space", basically neighborhoods with only one or two ways in or out by car, the rest of the streets are blocked by large iron gates to limit access (in and out) to those who might want to do crimes there. The bicycle patrol was king in those areas.