Police patrol are considered the backbone because they see and experience first hand what the community is dealing with in terms of knowing which parts of the community are more prone to crime....
the kinds of police patrol are foot patrol, horse patrol, scooter or motorcycle patrol, mobile car patrol, canine patrol, bicycle patol, marine(water) patrol - etc - etc.
This depends on force to force. Not many forces will let cadets go out on patrol at 14. Some forces let cadets go out on patrol at 16, but have to be trained at first aid and radio usage. Some forces...