Community-Oriented and Problem-Oriented Policing - Term Paper Example

Community Oriented and Problem Oriented Policing Community Oriented and Problem Oriented Policing approaches emphasize strong community members and police officers relationship. They are oriented towards solving problems of communities are sometimes linked to restoration. Community Oriented Policing (COP) is a strategy and policy that aims at achieving efficient and effective crime control, quality life, reduced crime fear, improves police legitimacy and services, through proactive community reliance. The main goals of COP are to eliminate crime and crime fear, which can only be attained by involving the community. The police department must relate well with the community in order for COP to work. COP involves a firm commitment to necessities and values of the citizen input (1). Problem Oriented Policing (POP) is a policing approach where discrete police business pieces are subjected to microscopic examination hoping that what has been freshly learnt concerning each problem will result in the discovery of more effective strategies for dealing with them. POP values new responses, which are naturally preventive, that are independent of the criminal justice system. It also values the engagement of other public agencies, the private sector and community when their engagement has significant potentials of reducing the problem. Its commitment is related to the implementation of new strategies, full evaluation of its effectiveness, and then reporting the results to other police agencies, in a way that is beneficial to them. As well as help in building of a knowledge body that further supports police professionalization (2). COP has three key components: community partnership, organizational transformation and problem solving. Comparisons between Community Policing and Problem Oriented Policies Historically, COP and POP were considered to be similar. In as much as they overlap in practice and philosophy, they also differ in the way they are performed in problem solving. First, the primary emphasis of community oriented policing is community engagement in the process of policing while in POP, solving problems within the police mandate. Community and police always collaborate in COP, while in POP collaboration is determined based on the prevailing situation; problem by problem. In problem analysis, POP gives first priority to thorough analysis which is only encouraged which is less significant to community collaboration in COP. Enforcement of criminal law is also preferred in POP, while COP prefers responses that collaborate with the community. However, unlike my supervisor, I believe that the role of police and community organization and mobilization is only advocated when the problem being addressed is warranted in POP while COP strongly emphasizes the police role. Adoption of the Community Oriented Policing In the late 1960s, there was increased tension between police and communities, especially the communities that were minority. Studies were conducted to determine the problem and it was found that a large number of minority African Americans negatively perceived the police. 3 say that the Michigan movement of 1960 wanted the relationship between police and people much closer. Louis Radelet brought a closer attention to COP so as to solve the problem (4). In 1996, he founded the National Institute on Police and Community Relations, where leaders discussed common problems between themselves. Increasing crime rate and ineffective conventional police methods also triggered the adoption of COP (5). Concerns about riots, racial conflicts, demonstration of civil rights and political protests confronted the police (5). There was need to research on how such problems could be peacefully solved. There was also increased fear that overwhelmed the public, making them avoid shopping centers, parks, neighborhoods, and public transport (3). According to the research findings and recommendations, it was found that such problems could only be solved by formation and adoption of COP by the majority of the supreme courts (2). My supervisor says that n United States, COP is becoming the most preferred policy of restoring justice. In the recent past, this policy is being adopted internationally, in order to reduce crime and crime fear. This approach has however been applied in Canada, Australia, Kenya, Northern Ireland, India, South Africa, Zambia, Sierra Leone and many other countries too. Multiple practices of policing are that are essentially decentralized, anti-bureaucratic, public responsive crime prevention attentive, and problem solving are now known as community policing. The method and theory came after early disparate practices (3). Although its opponents claim that it is a return to ancient form of policing, it represents a developed stage of policing in modern evolution. Nonetheless, it began in various United States jurisdictions and National Institute of Justice quickly embraced it. This form of policing has quickly replaced previous activities of community policing in the US, to a level where about 85% of US population is being served by some forces of community policing (1). However, there are various questions that need to be addressed with regard to the policy. For example, will this new policing paradigm survive export? How does it fit the special challenges of societies that are divided? Finally, is it congruent with or contrary to restorative justice principles? Problem Solving Tactics and Methods Though COP is not an answer to every problem facing policing in the modern society, it is a preventive and proactive policy in nature (4). It focuses on disorders, crime fear and neighborhoods’ decay. The problem solving methods are commonly involved strong community commitment and collaboration. The department implementing COP needs extensive input about the problem, policies and priorities from the citizens. The entire department has to know that COP is a wide function, which is much more than enforcement of law. COP programs include horse or bike patrol, beat patrol, neighborhood watch organizations, school programs and community meetings. The most commonly used method in problem solving is the SARA model, (Scanning, analysis, Response, and Assessment) (4). In scanning, recurring problems that are of concern to the police and public are identified, and their consequences affecting both the police and community similarly identified. The problems are then prioritized in order to develop broad goals. The existence of the problem is confirmed by determining how frequent they occur, and for how long they have been taking place. The problem is then selected fir closer examination. In the analysis process, events and conditions that accompany and precede the problem are identified and understood. Relevant data are collected and research conducted to determine what is clearly known about the type of problem. Inventory to show how the problem is currently being addressed is taken together with the strengths and weaknesses of current responses. The problem scope is narrowed to be as specific as possible. Various resources which may assist in the development of a deeper problem understanding are also identified. A working hypothesis about the causes of problem occurrence is finally developed. Response involves new interventions’ brainstorming and searching what other communities that have encountered such problems have done. The best alternative among the alternative interventions is then chosen. A response plan is then outlined and responsible parties are identified. Specific objectives concerning the response plan are stated and planned activities are carried out. Finally, there is the assessment process. This is process evaluation and involves determining whether there was effective implementation of the plan. Qualitative and quantitative pre- and post response data are collected and the level of attainment of both broad and specific objectives is determined. New strategies that may help in augmenting the original plan are identified and an ongoing process of ensuring continued effectiveness is conducted (5). Police and Citizens Benefits The number one benefit that both the police and community get from these policies is prevention of problems that could negatively affect them (4). When they work together with the aim of solving a problem of concern, they deal with adverse issues in the society thus preventing their effects. On the other hand, the policies have improved the relationship between police officers and citizens, by bringing them closer. This helps in reducing cases that police solely dealt with, as they can now be solved at community levels. The citizens have also opened up, thus helping police in investigating crimes that occur could be happening in the society. The citizens are also free to hold peaceful demonstrations, walk freely, and interact with police officers without fear of crime. Further more, cases of crime have been reduced as criminals fear being reported by fellow citizens (3). This made the work of police easier while at the same time, citizens have enjoyed peaceful co-existence among themselves. In such peaceful living, development has been encouraged thus improving people’s way of living. Deployment of many police officers in the society increases their contact with citizens, further reducing their fear. POP has found solutions of many problems that were facing the society. There are also negative effects of COP. For example, COP calls for reforms in citizen-police interactions and this has a negative effect on liability lawsuits. A law suit that is against a police agency may be ambiguous depending on the law color (5). Another positive effect is that, increased interactions can open up many crimes hidden in the society that citizens could fear to report. There is also increased security, as police patrol is increased, which increase business investment in countries applying may COP. On the other hand, fear of crime and reduction, together with prevention of crime are important aspects that improve a countries reputation from the international perspective. Conclusion Historically, COP and POP were considered to be similar. Even though they overlap in practice and philosophy, they also differ in the way they are done in problem solving. Community Oriented Policing (COP) is a strategy and policy that aims at achieving efficient and effective crime control, quality life, reduced crime fear, improves police legitimacy and services, through proactive community reliance. Though COP is not an answer to every problem facing policing in the modern society, I strongly believe it is a preventive and proactive policy in nature. It focuses on disorders, crime fear and neighborhoods’ decay. The problem solving methods commonly involve strong collaboration and community commitment between various stakeholders. The police and community get from these policies is prevention of problems that could negatively affect them. When they work together with the aim of solving a problem of concern, they deal with adverse issues in the society thus preventing their effects. On the other hand, the policies have improved the relationship between police officers and citizens, by bringing them closer. Work Cited 1. Improving Policing: A Problem-Oriented Approach, Crime & Delinquency, Herman Goldstein, New York, April 1979,236. 2. Community Policing: Restoring Justice Martin, Margaret, Social Policy Times. Research Center on Societal and Social Policy, 2003, page 3. 3. “Reinventing or Repackaging Public Services: The Case of Community-Oriented Policing.” Gianakis, Davis Jones, Public Administration Review, 1998, page 58(6): 485. 4. Leadership Effectiveness in Community Policing, Linda Royster Beito, Bristol, Indiana: Wyndham Hall Press, 1999, page 290. 5. Leadership Effectiveness in Community Policing, Linda Royster Beito, Bristol, Indiana: Wyndham Hall Press, 1999, page 297. Read More