Before the implementation of marked patrol cars, which was the common state of patrol in law enforcement?

Prior to the widespread use of marked patrol cars, law enforcement commonly utilized unmarked vehicles for patrol duties. Unmarked vehicles provided officers with a strategic advantage, allowing them to blend into various environments without drawing attention. This stealth approach facilitated undercover operations and enabled officers to monitor criminal activities more effectively without the intimidation factor that comes from marked units.

Unmarked patrol vehicles could be employed in a variety of scenarios, such as traffic enforcement and surveillance, without alerting potential offenders to law enforcement presence. While options like horseback patrols, bicycle units, and foot patrols were also part of law enforcement history, unmarked vehicles specifically served the purpose of enhancing the efficacy of patrol operations before the shift to marked vehicles became prevalent.