Problem-Oriented Policing - Research Paper Example

? Policy Perspectives Policy Perspectives Policies can be described as regulations that are set down in a bid to underline the determined protocol of dealing with a particular issue (Taylor, 2007). They are designed to ensure that there is no confusion when dealing with various circumstances that may arise in the field related to the policies. The need for policies have been an issue that has been evident since time in memorial and the various sectors that have taken advantage of this ideology have shown tremendous results in terms of success(de Lint, 2006). There are a number of perspectives that have come to light over the years that design the underlying ideology through which policies are created, they determine the approach that is taken by the policy makers when creating them and the manner in which the policies are made. One of the more popular areas where policies have been implemented has been in the issue of policing and the creation of rules that govern law and order (Ratcliffe, 2008). This sector can be said to be one of the most significant areas in which policies have been utilized, and they are the reason behind the ability of law enforcement to maintain order within a society as well as determine the appropriate methods through which those that breach the laws that have been set out should be treated (Stone, 2008). The perspective used to create these policies will determine the methods in which the community will deal with the rules and regulations and those who break them (Peterson, 2005). There are two major policy perspectives that can be studying when broaching this subject; they include problem oriented policing and zero-tolerance policing. Problem Oriented Policing This policy perspective refers to a strategy that focuses on the problem that is being faced in a bid to come up with effective ways with which to deal with that specific problem (Taylor, 2007). The strategy involves the analysis of the various crimes that rock the society and then focus on developing solutions that will adequately solve the problem and is based upon ongoing studies to evaluate the progress made, and if the original solution needs to be modified or changed in any manner in order to make sure that the policies developed are successful in their endeavor (Stone, 2008). This strategy believes that by closely studying the problem, one is able to come up with more effective answers and solutions as they are given the chance to gauge not only the problem itself, but its underlying cause as well (Ratcliffe, 2008). By doing this, one is not only able to deal with the problem once it occurs, but determine ways in which the source can be dealt with in a way that will stop the problem from popping up in the first place(Peterson, 2005). The policy can be said to focus more on the effort of crime prevention rather than dealing with the crime itself and aims at working together with the community in a bid to decrease the level of crime rates in the society (Althaus, Bridgman & Davis, 2007). This perspective focuses on research and analysis and strives to prove that the best way of dealing with a problem is determining its cause so as to strike at it from its foundation (Fischer, Miller & Sidney, 2006). Problem oriented policing can be said to function on the basis of “prevention is better than cure” motto. There are various steps that can be taken when approaching the making of policies from this particular perspective (Ratcliffe, 2008). The process can be presented in over teen steps but can be summarized in just three steps that are taken by those who take part in this particular policy perspective. They include: Identification and Analysis of the Problem The initial step is analysis of the problem before any steps could be taken. The particular problem will need to be closely scrutinized in a bid to sufficiently understand the problem so as to determine the best way to solve it. This can be acheived by going through the various police records as well as interviewing members of the society so as to first identify the problem (de Lint, 2006). The main idea behind this is for the researcher to concentrate on the problems that are a main concern to the community (Dye, 2007). Once the problem has been identified, the next step in this stage lies in closely examining the problem so as to establish the nature of the problem and its existence within the society. The research that is done should be thorough and extensive in order to positively identify the main problem that is a concern to the community (Stone, 2008). Once the problem has been identified and proven to be the main issue of concern for the society, one is able to move on to the second stage of this policy perspective. Determining Root Cause The second step of this perspective is the determination of the main cause behind the problem that has been identified (Althaus, Bridgman & Davis, 2007). This will involve further and even deeper research and analysis as looking at the problem itself will not be enough to establish the root cause. The main aim in this stage is determining the main reasons behind the problems that have been identified as main concerns by the community in a bid to bring an end to the issues once and for all (Dye, 2007). The main idea of determining the root cause is so that instead of dealing with the problem once it has risen, the policies focus on preventing the problems from emerging altogether so as to effectively deal with the issues in a manner that will ensure that the problem is wiped out totally and will not be a recurring complication further down the line (Taylor, 2007). Identifying the root cause of the problem is a good example of determining ways in which to come up with effective methods of prevention. Determining Solutions The third and last stage of this policy perspective is the manufacturing of solutions that will effectively curb the problem in question and ensure that it does not rear its head after it is dealt with (Stone, 2008). This stage occurs once sufficient research on identifying the root cause of the problem has been successful, and the main causes have been brought to light (de Lint, 2006). The main problems are then studies to determine the best solutions that can deal with the issues effectively. Once these solutions are created, they are then taken through further testing so as to determine their effectiveness by the researchers (Taylor, 2007). Upon successful results, the solutions can then be implemented and used by the various authorities that have been set in place. These three stages can be described as the main steps taken in the development process of policies when approached from a problem oriented policy perspective (Althaus, Bridgman & Davis, 2007). The steps taken do not necessarily deal with one issue at a time, and in certain scenarios the same steps can still be put into play to identify a number of main problems and issues that are of concern to the community. Zero Tolerance Policy The second approach that can be utilized in the development of policies and their underlying systems is the zero tolerance policy which can be said to be quite different from the problem oriented policy perspective (Ratcliffe, 2008). The zero tolerance policy can be described as creating an environment that absolutely discourages the disregard of the rules and regulations that have been set in place through the automatic punishment of those who break them (Althaus, Bridgman & Davis, 2007). The policy works through the promotion of immediate punishment with the aim of waning out undesired behavior among the members of the society. The policy perspective focuses on the people behind the problems instead of the problem itself and stands to argue that if the individuals who cause the problems such as crime rectify their behavior then the problem would be solved as a result (Dye, 2007). The automatic punishment is encouraged in a bid to make an individual think twice when considering breaking a particular rule as the consequences serve as a discouragement from doing so. The zero tolerance policy as the name suggests maintains that there should be no excuse by an individual over why they infringe on the rules and regulations that have been put in place (de Lint, 2006). The ideology behind this perspective functions on the belief that the main sector that should be concentrated on are the perpetrators or the causers of the problem and that they in themselves are the root cause of the problem (Taylor, 2007). The policy prohibits those in authority from changing or molding the punishment to fit the circumstances of the crime and does not leave space for considering the particular situation that the laws were broken (Ecke, 2010). The zero tolerance encourages equal treatment for all individuals and thus advocates that every individual should be given the same punishment for breaking the same law despite the individual’s history, culpability and particular circumstances. Though this is a simpler and straight forward policy perspective, it can be said to have its flaws as not all situations can be considered to be similar in nature. This thus presents a shortfall in the ideology of this particular policy perspective (de Lint, 2006). The policy can also be said to focus on” scaring individuals straight” so to speak and this in the long run would not prove to be as successful as some may wish as the underlying causes of the problems would still exist and thus leading to the recurrence of the issues in question (Althaus, Bridgman & Davis, 2007). The policy may also lead to unfair treatment and punishment of individual’s if their particular circumstances are not taken into consideration. The zero tolerance policy may not involve any research or data analysis in the creation of a solution, but it can still be considered to be more expensive in the long run as it does not really deal with the problem firsthand. Conclusively, it can be said that the problem oriented policy would be the best between the two (that is, problem oriented and zero tolerance policy) as it will give more positive results in the end and thus can be considered to be the most effective (Ecke, 2010). Though the zero tolerance policy may be efficient in the short term as a result of individuals attempting to avoid punishment, it will not result in eliminating the problem altogether. The problem oriented policy on the other hand despite the fact that it would take longer to accomplish as potentially more funds to accomplish as well will offer the proper results that are being sought (de Lint, 2006). The plan of solving a problem through attacking its root cause will prove more effective as it will mean that the issues being dealt with will have no chance of recurring if the causes are tackled head on. References Althaus, C., Bridgman, P & Davis, G. (2007).The Australian Policy Handbook (4th ed.). Sydney: Allen &Unwin. De Lint, W. (2006). Intelligence in Policing and Security: Reflections on Scholarship. Policing & Society 16 (1). Dye, T. R. (2007).Understanding Public Policy (12th ed.).New York: Prentice Hall. Eck, J. E. (2010). Is problem-oriented policing effective in reducing crime and disorder?. Criminology & Public Policy, 9(1). Fischer, F., Miller, G. J. & Sidney M. S. (2006).Handbook of Public Policy Analysis: Theory, Methods, and Politics. New York: Marcel Dekker. Peterson, M. (2005). Intelligence-Led Policing: The New Intelligence Architecture. Bureau of Justice Assistance. Ratcliffe, J. (2008). Intelligence?Led Policing Willan Publishing: Cullompton, Devon. Stone, D. (2008). Global Public Policy, Transnational Policy Communities and their Networks, Journal of Policy Sciences. Taylor, N. (2007). Urban Planning Theory since 1945. London, Sage. Read More