Policing Vs Community Policing

“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

This report gives a comprehensive understanding of the implementation of community policing in 12 police departments throughout the United States. The researchers observe, measures and draw conclusion of community policing.

The third and present day era of policing is Community Policing. Community policing is an organization-wide philosophy and management approach that promotes community, government and police partnerships; proactive problem solving; and community engagement to address the causes of crime, fear of crime and other community issues (Hess, Wrobleski pg. 10). Community policing goes beyond the traditional policing from the previous eras. Officers are assigned to designated areas, in which they get to know the citizens of the neighborhoods they are assigned. They use a more effective means of patrol such as foot patrol, and bicycle patrol. They do not just patrol around in vehicles, and respond to service calls. This goes back to one of Peel’s principles, “Police must secure the willing co-operation of the public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the public. The police must obtain a more involved relationship with the citizen of a community in order for the community to help the police with their patrolling to deter crime.

In cities and towns across the country, tragic deaths of citizens in confrontations with police have have spiked a wave of distrust for law enforcement. The bad perception for law enforcement is unfair to the officer’s who are dedicated, and mean well in their duties, yet unfortunately, it has created tension between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Due to the recent deaths and confrontations, reform proposals and new policies have been a national conversation to implement new initiatives to strengthen the bonds between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. Although, confrontations between law enforcement and citizens in the community have spiked, the concept of community policing is not new. Throughout the years the philosophy of community policing has been to

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!

Throughout our country, we obtain a plethora of demographics, cultures and traditions. Within these communities, we have individuals who protect and serve, ensuring a safe environment for all. Understanding community life, as well as proper community communication can ensure a healthy bond between police and society. Within the line of duty, the men and women of the police force tie bonds between safety and community relations. In order for the relationship to be hand in hand, the community and unit must work together as a team to ensure a decrease in crime.

Amongst law enforcement personnel, there is a debate between traditional policing and crime prevention through problem solving. With a traditional approach, there is a swift response to incidents. However, there is a long-term benefit of crime prevention with a more proactive approach. During this article, multiple strategies will be discussed which have a direct relation to community-oriented policing. It is important to understand that any one strategy is not more important than the other, but they are all intertwined to ensure a successful outcome.

Recent incidents of police brutality have brought up critical discussions on policing and law enforcement across the country. The nation seems to have come into a consensus about police reforms, and find an alternative way to fight crimes while assuring the safety of the public . At a time where unarmed black teenagers are being gunned down by police officers who were there to protect, and police departments are more militarized than ever; one wonders about the legitimacy of the police system that is in place. The mistrust of the public on police, and the costly militarization of police are the results of “aggressive” policing approach that has been practiced for years. An alternative way of policing, community policing, has been recommended and put in place in some parts of the country. Community policing mainly focuses on preventing crimes by working first hand with communities and change the dynamic of power by having communities actively engaged to work for their safety. Community policing is not a new method, it has been discussed by scholars since the late 1980’s and is now getting more attention than ever with recent protests on police brutality. Unlike standard policing, community policing is economically efficient, and has proven to be effective in reducing crimes.

Schneider argues in his book that Community-Oriented Policing (COP) and Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) are reconcilable and unarguably “the most widely touted policing model(s) to emerge in recent times (Schneider, 2010, 249).” He believes both COP and POP can internalize the central tenets of crime prevention by encouraging police act proactively instead of reactively, by encouraging the role of private

In the 1970s, big cities began using a method known as community policing which caught political attention with its positive outcomes. It began to be implemented in smaller communities with federal funding and studies showed that departments employing community policing jumped from 34% in 1997 to 64% in 1999 (Hickman & Reaves, 2003, p 506). Community policing appeals to the five key elements set forth by traditional policing; routine patrol, rapid response to calls for service, arrests, investigations, and law enforcement information sharing (Community Policing Dispatch, 2008). Routine Patrol is improved with community policing because it reduces fear with police presence and sets up preventative patrol in areas of high crime rates. Technology and

Police officers have a job to keep the community safe and limit the amount of crimes committed. Community-oriented policing helps both the community and police departments strengthen their relationship. Citizen’s perception of police is an important factor on defining their relationship. Police departments require voluntary cooperation from the general public to control crime effectively. Throughout history there has been clashes between citizens and police officers.

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.

Community policing as a concept is mainly about allowing the community a voice in determining the priorities law enforcement. Allen & Sawhney (2015) defines community police as collaborative effort between police and the community they serve to customize the delivery of police services (p. 307). In order to utilize the community policing approach, it is important for agencies to have a strong bond and trust with the community they serve. Without this trust, creative policing innovations fall short. Despite what shortcomings the approach to policing may have for law enforcement, the popularity of community led or community based policing is on the rise in America. American law enforcement as an industry faces a never-ending public relations crisis, especially during the onset of tough on crime approaches prevalent in of the last forty years. Within the two decades, community police strategies based on bringing key stakeholders together to

Approaches of both community policing and traditional policing models differ in a variety of ways. The characteristics of the policing models are quite different from each other, and community based policing was considered laughable when suggested for the new approach in the early 1970s. Due to community policing’s new operating beliefs, new and unfamiliar expected officer behaviors, and that officers were being held legally responsible for their actions and inactions; the idea and implementation wasn’t widely accepted until 1980’s. Traditional policing was primarily dominated by rampant corruption and lawlessness that affected all levels of the police administration; therefore citizens had little trust if any, in the police officers of the time.