Monday, 7 January 2019

Foundation Of Effective Community Policing Programs

By Brenda Thompson


Community policing is viewed as a security revolution. It has melted tension between police and communities and enabled them to keep neighborhoods orderly. However, one does not wake up one day and roll out a program. There are tenets that effective community policing programs must meet. These pillars have been under research and are ascertained to make the law enforcement easier.

Trust is the glue that enables police and ordinary people to work together. A person believes that his or her issue will be addressed once it is reported to the police. Police stop treating people with suspicion leading to altercations. People trust the police with information that would otherwise endanger their lives. Police also trust that the information passed to them by members of the public will be credible and help them maintain law and order.

The program should bring to fore the pillars of your community and make law enforcement aware of these values. Each neighborhood has unique cultures and routines that define coexistence. Some may be regarded as unacceptable in other communities. Unless the police understand your values and routines, it will be difficult to convince them that you are not engaged in criminal activities. The values are usually subtle and must never conflict with legal provisions.

Technology and its use are an integral part of any effective program in the current era. People are given the power to report incidences and call law enforcement whenever there is need. Police are also required to use body and dash cameras to enhance fidelity to facts. Videos are accepted as evidence or proof of incidences that happened. Once technology is used effectively, the speed and quality of response are enhanced.

Priority needs to be given to engagement with the people in the area. Engagement helps law enforcement officers to appear like ordinary members of the area. They will not be regarded as any superior or inferior. Police and other law enforcers also begin to see residents as part of their lives. This creates a great deal of cohesion and builds a society of shared values. The dignity of all members of this neighborhood will be preserved.

Peaceful co-existence between people and police is enhanced through intense training and awareness creation. The aim is to make people understand the role of police officers and police to be cognizant of expectations from citizens. Awareness of boundaries and the responsibilities that come with these boundaries helps to de-escalate issues since everyone is aware of his or her place.

It is important to preserve the dignity of police by all means. This is a responsibility for people and the officers involved. Do not raise false alarms or risk the lives of police officers in the line of duty. Look at them as an institution and not individuals. When mutual respect exists, people will experience incredible tranquility. Police will take the final say in incidences with mutual respect. The police will also affirm their responsibility to law and superiors without ignoring the people.

The basics of effective community policing initiative are to address local social issues. It is the responsibility of people and the police to actualize these programs for mutual benefit. When each of these entities plays his or her role effectively, neighborhoods become safer and police officers enjoy their work.




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