PatrolA patrol is commonly a group of personnel, such as law enforcement officers, military personnel, or security personnel, that are assigned to monitor or secure a specific geographic area. From French patrouiller, from Old French patouiller “to paddle, paw about, patrol”, from patte “a paw”. Patrolling In military tactics, a patrol is a sub-subunit or small tactical formation, sent out from a military organization by land, sea or air for the purpose of combat, reconnaissance, or a combination of both.