środa, 9 stycznia 2019

Basics Of Effective Community Policing Programs

By Brenda Thompson


Communities that have joined law enforcers in addressing security issues have continued to enjoy calm and order. Tension between people and police has reduced, enabling greater cooperation in securing neighborhoods. However, community policing programs do not work automatically. They need to be founded on some of the strongest pillars that integrate law enforcement and the role of people in the scheme of things.

Trust is the foundation of any program involving law enforcers and communities they work in. Police are yet to be regarded as social partners. They are still viewed as persons searching for trouble even where there is none. Without trust, people will withhold information. Lack of trust makes police to regard every situation as suspicious. This is why small issues escalate into national debates. The program should find a way of enhancing trust between police and ordinary people.

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 is at the center of any neighborhood policing initiative. People have cameras and can call police in an instant. They also want conversations and engagements with police recorded as proof and to justify their actions. Police officers are also required to keep their body and dashboard cameras rolling. Such technology simplifies resolution of cases and enhances trust because no one will claim discrimination.

Police should make it a priority to engage people in the neighborhood while people also engage police on their concerns. Issues should not be allowed to blow out of proportion as those police are non-existent. Police do not appear as lords or the people. In reverse, people do not view police as peers because they have a responsibility. It is mutual engagement that will ensure that the dignity of both people and police institution is preserved.

Training and awareness creation should be a priority. People need to understand the role of police, their procedures and areas where they will have to intervene. Police in return need to be conscious of rights of citizens and responsibilities of law enforcers over the neighborhoods they serve. Such training simplifies problem solving and makes it easier to de-escalate issues since each party is aware of the place of the other.

The dignity and regard of policemen and other law enforcers must be preserved at all times. People and police officers must see institutions whenever these officers are in neighborhoods. The enforcers must also follow the code of conduct that guides the institutions they serve. Such relationships lead to mutual respect and helps in the avoidance of confrontations. Officers can be respectful to their seniors while still serving the populace in the deserved manner.

The best community policing initiatives are designed to address local problems. Each program should pay attention to issues that bother the local community. Police and citizenry must exercise responsibility for any program to succeed.




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