Community Policing: Cooperation Between Community And Law Enforcement Agency

Community policing is explained as a collaboration of community and the police working together to help identify and solve criminal activities. Additionally, the whole concept behind it is to promote public safety and to enhance the quality of life within the neighborhoods in which we reside in. Community policing is composed of two major components which are community partnership and problem solving. Community policing is a program that was initially started in the 1940’s. All of the support that was released for this program was materialized actually in the 1980’s. One of the main goals if not the most important goal was to bring in the law enforcement closer to their local public to help

Community policing is a philosophy. It uses organizational strategies that support the use of partnerships and problem solving techniques to address issues of public safety.Community-oriented policing is collaboration between the community, organizations within the community, and the police that identify and solve community problems. Police officers work with the community to help solve problems related to crime, fear of crime, social and physical disorder, and neighborhood conditions. They do this to enhance the safety and quality of neighborhoods. Officers spend time in these neighborhoods getting to know the residents and business owners by talking to them about the problems that the community is facing or individuals who are causing problems. They are responsible for reducing crime in their beats.

The Community Policing era has been one of the contemporary police activities in the last 30 years. It is more of a decentralized approach to reducing crime by involving the same officer in the same community on a long term basis, so residents will develop trust and then provide information and assistance to the officer. Community Policing does not replace motorized patrol or other police tactics but instead compliments them with community partnership and problem solving (Bailey, 2011).

Law Enforcement officers have one of the most critical jobs in the United States. Their lives are always on the line and they are of high regards. This means they cannot fail! The results of their jobs do not only depend on their actions but also on the people. What this means is the community has a huge role when it comes to solving crime. Though many people may not believe it, they are the key to a successful crime prevention community. The people of the United States don’t really understand both the positive and negative effects that community policing actually brings. Some may say it is very dangerous based on their experiences. Others may say it’s the best way to do away with crime. Today the two will be compared and put to test by true officers serving our country. The facts will be stated and questions will be answered. Let’s take a look at what community policing is really all about!

“Community policing is, in essence, a collaboration between the police and the community that identifies and solves community problems” (U.S. Department of Justice, 1994, p. vii). Throughout the years, community policing has become a more popular strategy to help law enforcement officials control and deter crime; however, some areas across the United States has had problems in the past with communities and law enforcement working together to ensure a secure and safe environment. Although it is an officer’s duty to maintain order, keep the peace, and solve problems within the area he or she

The focus of community-oriented policing is not simply on response, but on preventing crime and resolving community problems. This philosophy rests on the belief that the police and the community must work together as partners to solve the contemporary challenges faced in today 's society. (Community Policing Philosophy)

Community policing is has two main components the police and the community that identifies and solves community problems. Community participants speak their concerns, contribute advice, and take action to address these concerns. By creating a positive partnership we will need the energy, creativity, understanding, and patience of all involved. Certain communities take longer time than others to break down walls of apathy and mistrust so that important partnerships can be formed. Community policing officers are able to pursue numerous paths toward achieving self-regulated and self-defended neighborhoods. They have the chance of working jointly and equally with citizens. This helps to define local problems, educating the community about the causes of crime and

1. Compare and contrast at least two leadership and management styles. How does your answer help create an ethical environment?

Law enforcement must endeavor to keep programs such as citizens’ academies, town hall meetings and philosophies such as community oriented policing. Why? Because they maintain the pipeline to the public and they keep law enforcement in touch with the community. There is a need for more communication between law enforcement and community stakeholders. For the police to maintain the public’s trust in the face of negative incidents and changing demographics, the manner in which they convey their trustworthiness may have to change. To achieve real transparency its going to take more that technical gadgetry. Tracie Keesee, a police captain who is also the co-founder of RCLA’s Center for Policing Equity, suggest turning precinct houses into public spaces. “It might be adjoined with a rec center,” she says. “There could be wireless in the lobby, a room for community meetings, so that it’s not just that you come in when you’re handcuffed or making a report. (Bennett, D, 2014).”

Community policing consists of three main components: (1) collaborative partnerships between law enforcement and the community to address problems and develop solutions while increasing trust in the police, (2) an organizational transformation to support those partnerships and solutions, and (3) proactive and systematic consideration of community problems to develop beneficial responses (Community policing defined, 2014). As community policing is becoming the accepted norm throughout the nation, having adopted this strategy will aid us in meeting the accreditation requirements. Our mission is to provide the best in public safety that we possibly can, and the community policing strategy is the best way to do

Although policing has been around for many decades, law enforcement roles have not changed too significantly. Media, such as television shows and movies, portray law enforcement officers as fearless crime fighters who are in daily high speed chases and shoot outs. While these crimes may be possible, it is not likely on a daily basis. So, just what do police officers respond too then? They deal with many various types of service calls each month and year including little disruptions and civil arguments or disputes. Police officers today need to be in different places for all different types of complaints and issues. Because many agencies do not have the capability or manpower for the growing need, community policing is a fast growing necessity for these agencies. This paper will discuss where community policing originated from, how it effects law enforcement today, and some of the ways we can expand the concept of community policing to benefit everyone for the future.

The standards set forth by community policing consist of quality of service, resident-based satisfaction, being sensitive to the diversity of cultures, and impartiality to community defined concerns. CPOs have the means and opportunity to spend more time working with citizens to get to the root causes of criminal activity and maintain order. By improving the communication among officers and residents, it makes it easier share and distribute information regarding crimes with the general public more efficient, (Community Policing: A Contemporary Perspective...,pg.62-73,74-123). This creates bipartisan relations and officers can direct people with the correct public, as well as private agencies that can best attend to the concerns of the people

In continuation, community oriented policing is defined as, Community policing is a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies, which support the systematic use of partnerships and problem solving techniques, to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues, such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime.” (Scheider, pg.1 2008). One might say that the main aspect of community policing is the partnerships that police departments have to create in order to ensure the efficiency of this strategy; officers of our community cannot do it alone. Yes, there are positives aspects of this strategy as well as negative ones. As just stated, officers cannot increase awareness of crime, safety issues and disorder alone, so the constructive side of community policing is bringing everyone together such as residents and local businesses to decrease possible misconduct. On the other hand, being too close can also be a downfall to community policing. That is said because, partnerships created can possibly take advantage of the police force and vice versa with officers abusing power. Also, according to Gianakis (1998),

There is much discussion on what community policing is and how it impacts or influences the duties and roles of law enforcement officers, other workers and those living directly in these communities. Due to a lack of understanding policies that were in affect caused a gap between law enforcement agencies and the people making it almost impossible for officers to do their jobs successfully. In this paper focal points surrounding community policing the and why it was implemented. Also to be determined and discussed is various methods used to promote results in communities. Then to discuss the positive and negative aspects that participants involved in community policing must be aware of.

In closing, Community policing is a innovative process that retains clarity and allows officers and community members to be find proactive solutions. Problem solving by the use of various models such as the S.A.R.A model and other models provides a outline that can be applied when CPOs work their designated beats. As a new trust is developed between police officials and residents this framework can be applied to the increasing difficulties that may help create a stronger partnership. Though problem solving is contingent on the stability of a community the public police agencies must continually look for effective methods to implement and adapt to a ever changing society.