Introduction.
This paper will primarily concern itself with community policing and problem-solving policing, which depart from the traditional form of policing that has been in place in many areas of America for years. The two new policing strategies being pushed as the new form of policing in contemporary American society will be presented (Dempsey, 2005).
In this paper, we will compare and analyze the features of community policing and problem-solving policing. Our goal is to demonstrate that these two approaches provide specific benefits to a community in a particular order. When both are implemented, they can improve the social status of the community as a whole.
Community policing
The philosophy behind this new policing strategy is based on the partnership between the police force and the members of the community (Office of Community Oriented Policing Service, USA, 2008). This partnership transforms the police from a ‘reactionary’ force as in traditional policing to a facilitator of policing. The government fully pays for their services to assist and become a medium for citizens’ participation in policing (Dempsey, 2005).
According to Dempsey (2005), community policing is an attempt to involve the community as an active partner with the police in addressing crime problems in the community.” However, it will be shown later that this is no longer just an “attempt,” but rather a reality currently being practiced all over America.
By involving the community in policing, citizens can gain more knowledge about the police and justice process (Dempsey, 2005). This strategy promotes participation and involvement in community issues, encourages prevention and community-based actions towards crime, and effectively utilizes personnel within the police force.
After discussing the advantages of community policing, it is important to understand how this approach works in practice. Many towns have successfully implemented their own versions of community policing. Some examples include organizing events that involve both police officers and community members, such as sports competitions or public forums and meetings. Another strategy is to station an officer in a community residence or location (Dempsey, 2005).
The federal government plays a vital role in promoting community policing, which is a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Community policing aims to build trust and strengthen relationships between police officers and community members, ultimately leading to safer neighborhoods.
The American Federal government has established the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, also known as COPS. This office was created in response to the mandate by the Crime Bill, which allocated funds to promote community policing throughout America (Dempsey, 2005).
The Office’s program has four overarching goals. These goals are mainly to increase the number of officers visible on community streets, promote partnerships between the police and the community, and develop new technologies that aid in preventing and reporting crime (Dempsey, 2005).
Problem-solving policing
As the term implies, this policing strategy requires police officers to analyze and assess the problems they encounter in their work.
According to Dempsey (2005), using this approach to policing would require officers to assume that incidents of crime and disorder are brought about by underlying social problems. Therefore, in order to eliminate crime, these social problems must be addressed.
This would mean that the police now have the responsibility of improving all social aspects of a community, not just maintaining peace and order. Policing would also become an integral and interconnected aspect of the social services provided by the government (Marion, 2006).
Similar to community policing, problem-solving policing approaches crime elimination from a non-reactionary point of view. It focuses its efforts more on prevention.
The process of problem-solving policing involves the scanning, analysis, response, and assessment of various incidents (Dempsey, 2005).
The police officer should view an incidence of crime as a problem with underlying causes. Once the problem is identified, they should research data about it, including surveys, statistics, and personal accounts from members of the community. After analyzing the data, a solution can be formulated.
This solution will be implemented in cooperation with other members of the community. Once implemented, the results will be assessed and evaluated to aid in future decision-making. Appropriate feedback will be provided to all stakeholders and participants involved in the issue.
This strategy of policing would certainly be enhanced with the collaboration of the academic community. Members of academia can lend their expertise and scholarly resources to help police analyze and address social problems.
This type of policing involves praxis, which is the process of action-reflection-action. This means that the decisions and outcomes of a particular incident would influence future decisions when similar incidents occur.
The Crux
With the presentation of two strategies, the writer believes that both can be used in conjunction to improve not only the peace and order situation but also the social conditions of a community.
Community policing can be introduced through various methods, such as placing officers in the community and organizing team-building activities that involve both community members and police officers.
This way, the basis for involvement and relationship between the two groups would not be solely based on crime incidences, which are undoubtedly negative in nature. Instead, it would be built upon a bond created by positive activities that foster trust and camaraderie.
Once a bond has been established and trust has developed, it becomes easier for community members to cooperate with police officers and assist them. Officers and citizens can discuss ways to improve the community or even personal matters. Crime resolution would increase as a result of citizens’ cooperation.
Once the trust is established, incidents of crime can be brought to the attention of citizens in an effort to analyze the problem. The resulting research would be more valid due to community cooperation in generating and acquiring data.
Essentially, these two approaches to policing would increase people’s participation in their own well-being. This would help them understand their status as stakeholders in the peace and order of their community.
Although it is assumed that the police will have a significant amount of discretion, the involvement of the community will serve as a check and balance to their actions. If there is any unwarranted or abusive use of this discretion, it can easily be identified and addressed due to the community’s understanding of the system.
Bibliography
Dempsey, J. (2005). An Introduction to Policing.” New York: Wadsworth.
Marion, N. (2006). The Public Policy of Crime and Criminal Justice. Washington D.C.
Prentice Hall.
Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, USA (2008, April 30) defines what community is.
Policing? Retrieved August 7, 2008, from the COPS Office.
Visit http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/default.asp?item=36 for more information.
