So basically whenever you go on duty at the PD, you will have a choice to either get a partner or not. Since all your partner can do is to assist you, why not make your partner useful as well.

• When you play on hardcore mode, you tend to get injured easily depending on your skill, so when you are down and if your partner is alive, why not add a feature to switch to your partner and to rescue the main player by calling the EMS during or after the incident depending on your choice.
• You are able to switch between yourself and your partner anytime you want but when you switch from the main player, the main player itself would act like an AI like how a partner should assist.

I'm sure that having the ability to switch between you and your partner would enhance the experience and the usefulness of having a partner.

 

Also i'm not sure if this idea was implemented, been away from the community for months, anyway if you have any ideas to enhance this idea, just place a comment below and i'll add it to the topic.

I like the idea, but I'd like it if the partner could just be programmed to give you cover and heal you

That seems like it would be a lot of work.

This is quite an interesting idea.  I've taken note of it and I'll look into it.