What is the term for the act of surveillance in the context of law enforcement?

Surveillance in the context of law enforcement refers specifically to the act of closely monitoring individuals, locations, or activities, often to gather information or evidence related to criminal behavior. The term "monitoring" effectively captures this concept, as it emphasizes the systematic and continuous observation typically employed in surveillance operations.

Monitoring can encompass various methods of observation, including electronic surveillance, visual inspections, or the use of tracking technologies. While "patrolling" refers to the physical movement of law enforcement personnel through specific areas to deter and detect crime, it does not specifically denote the concentrated effort involved in surveillance. "Observation" and "tracking" also have their own distinct meanings; observation is broader and may not imply the systematic aspect of surveillance, while tracking typically focuses on following a subject's movements rather than on the wider context of surveillance. Therefore, monitoring is the most accurate term within the law enforcement framework when specifically discussing surveillance activities.