Physical surveillance involves observing and tracking a subject, often in close proximity, using a team of personnel and specialized equipment. The goal is to remain undetected while providing security and arresting suspects. It can be dangerous and requires special skills and equipment.
Physical surveillance is a form of monitoring in which the subject is kept under physical observation. It can be combined with other surveillance modalities for comprehensive coverage and can be used by law enforcement agencies and private investigators. This type of surveillance requires special skills and is manpower-intensive, as personnel must be continually rotated to provide cover, and a series of observers may need to be used to avoid attracting the attention of the subject under observation.
In physical surveillance, members of a surveillance team observe and track their subject. Sometimes this is done in relatively close proximity, and in other cases, the person doing the surveillance may need to remain distant to avoid attracting attention. The surveillance team works on foot, in vehicles and using other means of transport as needed and must be highly alert, as well as flexible, to identify subject movements and take appropriate action.
Usually, the goal is to avoid alerting the subject to the surveillance presence. In some cases, people may be aware that they are being watched by a security team, but the team remains hidden to avoid reporting potential security threats. This allows people to receive unobtrusive security as they go about their day-to-day business and can also be used in cases where a person is being used as a decoy to lure a criminal. The physical surveillance team provides protection for the subject and arrests suspects when they appear.
A number of tools are used in physical surveillance, including binoculars and telescopes, listening devices, and other specialized equipment. Squad members may need to dress up in costume for concealment or camouflage, and typically use nondescript, nondescript vehicles that don’t stand out. This can include camouflaged vehicles designed to look insignificant in a neighborhood. If someone in a relatively poor neighborhood is under physical surveillance, for example, a brand new car with no markings would stand out, but an older car that looks well used and untidy would stand out.
Physical surveillance can be dangerous. It can involve close contact with suspects and can put people at risk in a variety of dangerous situations. Working as a team helps, as team members can look out for each other, but sometimes a team is too obvious and you need to work alone to avoid getting caught. Keeping an eye on communications and other activity as part of your surveillance operation can help people identify obvious risks before they happen.
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