AbstractThe expected response time to a call for service (CFS) for a given configuration of police beats is developed. The effect of downtime calls on the response time to a CFS is determined. Consideration is given to both travel time and waiting time. Travel time and service time distributions are isolated. The model is valid for Poisson arrivals and arbitrary service time distributions. A probabilistic assignment policy is determined for each beat. The fraction of incoming calls arriving in beatkanswered by unitlis obtained. Pre-emptive priorities are allowed. Application to the Aurora, Illinois, Police Department is shown.