Police and the Community - Essay Example

? Police and the Community Question Information regarding groups and their actions is the biggest barrier to community involvement. Acquiring adequate information to know whether or not a scheme is worthy of participation is a barrier to community involvement. This is because it worries people whether the groups can be trusted or not. Few people say that knowing how to participate in something they worry about is a barricade to involvement. Queries raised by accomplices when they were asked what their response would be if an individual told them to take part in the practice included ideas such as, “I trust that they are legitimate and on the right path.” This means that any person who is willing to take part needs assurance that the practice is legitimate. A lesser barricade could be people’s self-esteem and self-perception (Morris, 2008). This is because they do not view themselves as activists or leaders. This perceptual concern is a barrier for over 36% of the adults in America. Not being an activist or leader is a barrier for 42% of adults who are not involved but wish to be. Disengaged participants in several focus groups stated that they wish for a fearless director with organizational skills, knowledge, plans, enthusiasm, a selfless attitude, and honesty. This group also puts more weight in disliking politics than adults on not knowing anyone else taking part in the activity. In order to overcome these obstacles, authorities that are involved in public participations should ensure that those who are involved in the activity are protected. Authorities need to educate people on these barriers and assure them that they will be safe after they take part in the activity (Thurlow, 2008). Question 2 Policy makers have a tough task of carrying out what is best for their constituents plus their countries. This makes them the voice of the citizens. It is extremely vital that a police chief should be a policy maker for his constituent or country due to several reasons. These reasons are: police chiefs have interests of constituents and interests in the country. They also defend the constitution. Since policy makers are elected by the public, this will also give a chance to police chiefs to be elected by the public. Each policy maker has an obligation of defending the constitution. Police chiefs are also obliged to defend the American constitution, and this makes the liable policy makers (Chief of Police, 2007). A policy maker is a person who is responsible for making the policies of an organization. This includes the government or any other institution that requires regulations. A statesman refers to a diplomat or politician who has had a long, as well as respected duty at the national or international level. It has been said that police chiefs should be politicians. This is not a brilliant idea. Politicians have an obligation of representing and responding to the constituents, voting on legislation, participating in budget discussions and taking part in committees. Even though, police chiefs need to realize these factors, their central duty is to implement the law. This is a vital duty. They need to be separated from political matters so that they could execute their tasks to the fullest. If police chiefs are allowed to be statesmen, then this would interfere with the neutrality of the police force from politics. It will interrupt with the activities of the police force (Samuels, 2000). Question 3 Similarities Community oriented policing as a philosophy that encourages organizational strategies, which hold up the organized use of problem-solving techniques and partnerships, to tackle the immediate factors that give rise to public security issues. The security issues are social disorders, crime as well as fear of crime. Community oriented policing also comprises of three key components in America as well as other nations. These components are: community partnership, organizational transformation as well as problem solving. Most countries, including the United States, think that collaborative partnership between the police force and the public and other organizations serve to develop answers to issues and increase trust in the police force. Groups that are expected to collaborate with the police force according to the United States and other nations are: government agencies, community groups, privets businesses as well as the media (Scott, 2000). Differences The major difference in community oriented policing between the United States and other nations are in the organizational transformation as well as problem solving of the United States. The arrangement of organizational management, personnel, structure and information systems to sustain community partnerships and proactive problem solving of the United States and other nations are different. The key components of the American community oriented policing are leadership, climate and culture, labor relations, decision-making, strategic planning, policies, organizational evaluations, transparency and organizational structure. The key components of other nations, however, are leadership and strategic planning. Community oriented policing of the United States also offers information systems such as communication technologies to access quality and accurate data (Cops, 2010). Question 4 Community oriented policing is, in reality, a collaboration between the police and the public that discovers and solves community issues. These issues are mostly related to the enforcement of security, law, and order. With the police force no longer being the sole custodians of law and order, every member of the community is now an active ally in the attempt to enhance the quality and safety of neighborhoods and communities. Community oriented policing has broad implications. The extended outlook on crime prevention and control, the fresh emphasis on making citizens active members in problem solving, and the patrol officers’ key role in community policing need intense modifications within the police organization. The neighborhood patrol officers, supported by the police force, help community members mobilize resources and support them to solve problems and improve their quality of life (Mirsky, 2009). The public voice their worries, give advice, and take action to tackle these worries. A positive partnership between the police force and the public needs creativity, understanding, finances, and patience of all parties involved. The process also requires more officers than before. It is true that if people need a plan to be successful they should put in the finances that will make the plan a success. Increasing the cost and the number of officers in community policing will make that the program more effective than before. Hence, the government should increase the cost of community policing and the officers involved in the program so as to make it effective (Oliver, 2008). Question 5 Community oriented policing is imperative to assist police in upholding peace and order since the police, by themselves, cannot be everywhere and accomplish everything. Additionally, it is illegal for citizens to vigilante force and they ought to understand the boundaries. Through collaboration, the community benefits from the joint efforts of the law enforcement and public. The community gets an education in actions, and as a result, they have a healthier understanding of their police force as well as the challenges the police force faces. Community oriented policing creates alertness in communities in three ways. One, a thief will realize that the area has support of the public and the police and that they are aware of any suspicious actions. Two, residents can depend on each other to guard their safety and well-being against suspicious persons or criminal activity. Third, public relations between police and residents are developed through this community policing which also provides education to the residents regarding police as well as court procedures (Orlando, 2008). Community policing, in the future, will help to create neighborhood watch groups that are more efficient than the current ones. A major challenge at the moment that is conversant with community policing is getting community members to participate in the program. Older residents do not want to get involved in anything that circulates around crime. Provided that they feel secure in their houses, behind their locked doors, these people want to stay ignorant to criminal actions taking place around them (Ward, 1994). They incorrectly think it will not occur to them or their belongings. They should be educated regarding this program since, in the future, it would only benefit them. This is because it will reduce the crime rate in their neighborhood. References Chief of Police. (2007). Police department regionalization, consolidation, and merger & shared services important considerations for policy makers. New Jersey: New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. Cops. (2010). Community Policing redefined. NP. Retrieved from http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/default.asp?item=36 Mirsky, I. (2009). Community oriented policing. New York: Internet Journal of Criminology. Retrieved from http://www.internetjournalofcriminology.com/Mirsky_Community_Oriented_Policing.pdf Morris, J. (2008). Removing the barriers to community participation. New York: National Community Forum. Oliver, W. (2008). Community oriented policing: A systemic approach to policing. (4th ed.). New York: Pearson/Prentiss-Hall. Orlando, T. (2008).The value of community oriented policing. Andover, Massachusetts: Helium Publishing. Samuels, J. (2000). Police attitudes toward abuse of authority: findings from a national study. Washington DC: National Institute of Justice. Scott, M. (2000). Problem-Oriented policing: Reflections on the first 20 years. Washington DC: U.S. Department of Justice Office Thurlow, J. (2002). Challenges and barriers to community participation in policy development. New York: Rural Communities Impacting Policy. Ward, R. (1994). Understanding community policing. Washington DC: Bureau of Justice Assistance. Read More