Safer Neigbourhood Policing - Assignment Example

Managing Crime Part1 Policing Change in Police Service over the Last 100 Years: Introduction: With the passage of time and increasing rates of crime, the role of the police service has changed significantly and there is a greater need, in the present times, to build a better place for policing and make policing an effective measure. This assignment considers the issues of safety and security of public in general, as concerned by the law and hence needs to prevent and manage crime and criminals efficiently (Building Communities, Beating Crime, A Better Police Service for the 21st Century: Cm. 6360 2004). In general, the assignment focuses on the changing role of police and crime management measures over the years, discussing on the main functions of the police, and the increasing role of safer neighbourhood policing. The Changing Role: One of the major changes that have occurred in policing over the last 100 years is in the role that women have to play. In earlier times women represented negligible positions and roles in policing (Villiers 2009). As recorded, “during the first 100 years of law enforcement in the United States, women were formally excluded from employment in law enforcement” (Kurtz 2006, p.27). The situation has however changed over the years, with the present times giving greater opportunities and responsibilities to women. Thus while previously there was a clear discrimination among men and women with respect to their roles in policing, women are now offered higher ranks based on their performances. They now play an essential role in making decisions effectively improving the service of the police. Feminization is sincerely considered in the present times enabling police force to take into serious concerns the crimes related to rape, domestic violence and abuses, and child sex abuse (Villiers 2009). Another major change that has occurred in police service is in the relationship of the police with the security services that has effectively developed over the years. The police and the security services have started working in collaboration “with a major increase in the resources available to the police and intelligence agencies to deal with the terrorist threat” (Home Office 2009, p.62). Actions of counter terrorism have also increased with time (Staniforth and Sampson 2012). Also challenges in police service have increased over the years. With that the police forces, in the current times, try to use advanced measures for prevention and management of crimes (Murray 2000). It can thus be said that the advancements and advantages that present day police service can avail, were not available in the early times. Thus change has occurred in the way police service can now handle crimes, with security services playing a critical role as well. All necessary information is now available in an unlimited manner that enables police departments and their personnel to share and discuss their views, problems and opinions on different issues related to crime and its management. Education and training are also better and improved in the present days with gradual changes over the years. Over the years, the understanding of the role of policing and management of crime has developed significantly and hence today, the police personnel better understand the need for effective policing. However, with time, and increasing rates of crime, the demands for policing have also increased, complicating the roles more than before. Public demands for advanced skills resources from the police services for the security and safety of the society (Murray 2000). Thus while on one hand, there have been significant improvement in policing, on the other hand, complicacies have also increased as “particular challenges posed by urbanization, developing an understanding of local communities and their concerns in an effort to better engage is the cornerstone of good local policing” (Cordner, Das and Cordner 2010, p.437). The present day police service prepares for future challenges by identifying the challenges expected to be encountered in future, assessing their organizational capabilities and improving them according to need, developing and implementing effective strategies and plans, upholding the momentum and learning process, providing dynamic leadership, and community policing. The changing nature of crime and the challenges in the system have primarily led to changes in the police service. Over the last 100 years, structures of paramilitary organizations have modified into empowerment where shortened command chains are followed. The focus, now, is more on recruiting and involving the right and effective people rather than being dominated by a law enforcer only (Murray 2000). Thus with intentions to better manage and prevent crime, and to improve the relationship with the public, the police service and its role has modified significantly over the past 100 years with the present day system trying to be more advanced and effective. Conclusion: From the above study it can be said that the police service has significantly changed over the past 100 years. Change has occurred in the role that women can play in police service, along with the advancements in policing and crime management that are now available for the police to deal with crimes. The relationship of the police with security services, as well as with the public have also developed over the years, with public having greater expectations from them that they need to fulfill through their actions of crime management. 2. Main Function of the Police: Introduction: In this section of the study, the main functions and roles of the police would be discussed. There are certain basic roles that police forces need to follow and others that the public expect from them. While all expectations of the public may not be possible to be fulfilled by the police all the time, the basic functions are always required to be followed and maintained, to be discussed in this section. Roles and Functions of the Police: In particular, police managers have the significant roles of planning, organizing, and coordinating all actions set for the police departments they are in charge of (Green, Lynch and Lynch 2012). Some of the fundamental duties or roles of the police in general include: sustaining and enforcing law in an impartial manner, focusing on protection of life, freedom, belongings, human rights, and self-esteem of the citizens; promoting and safeguarding public order; protecting internal security, and preventing and controlling the activities of terrorism and militants; protecting public properties such as roads, railways and establishments; responsibly registering complaints in regard to any crime occurring in the society in any form and following up through planned actions; creating a feeling of security in the community; to help the public in all possible ways; taking charge of properties that are unclaimed and found in public areas; and training and motivating the personnel of the police service in order to ensure welfare of the society and its public (Functions, Roles and Duties of Police in General n.d.). Police officers have “the power and authority to initiate significant public safety-related activities without immediate or direct supervision” (Grady 2012). The greatest priority for the police is their effectiveness of leadership, and “the policies and the practices of police departments directly affect the rate at which officers use lethal force” (National Research Council 2004, p.4). Thus the executive role of the police is the most important of all that is taken into consideration. The competing priorities for the police include their responsibilities towards the community, their responsibilities towards the governing bodies that they are associated with, their responsibilities towards their department and the personnel, and their responsibilities towards their profession. As part of their responsibility towards the community, the duties of highest priority include collaboration, communication, development of partnership, and understanding the needs with suitable responsive actions. Fulfilling the responsibilities towards the governing body includes in priority list the demonstration of trust, integrity, truthfulness, and commitment of their performances. Inspiring and creating leadership holds the highest priorities as far as responsibilities of the police towards their department and workforce are concerned. This has a significant role in developing police for the future leadership. Priority responsibilities of the police to their profession include mentoring new leaders for the department and service raising the standards and developing the knowledge and performances (Greenberg 2013). Thus the lists of competing priorities for the police are focused on improving the actions of the police and their service towards the society, the governing bodies, their departments, and their profession. Although there are certain fundamental roles and duties of the police, the public in general often have unrealistic expectations from the police personnel. This includes their expecting police officers to put their own lives in risk in order to save or protect the public. Although this might be true to some extent being part of the role of the police, but in many cases the risks are unreasonable created by the public when they take law in their own hands. In such situations, even the police personnel might have their individual choices to make, which the public do not realize. Difficulties also arise when health and safety brigade hinder the work of the police and expect them to deal with issues without executing their usual ways of crime management (Hickley and Sears 2009). Conclusion: It can be concluded from this study that there are certain roles and duties such as ensuring protection of the law and safety of the public, that are fundamental to the service of the police personnel. In order to prevent and manage crime effectively, these basic responsibilities are essential to be fulfilled with due care by the police. However, at times it becomes difficult for the police to fulfill unrealistic demands from the public. Nonetheless, the fundamental or main functions of the police need to be followed effectively such that security and safety against crimes may be assured for the society at large. 3. Safer Neighbourhood Policing: Introduction: While community policing has been long in place in police service, safer neighbourhood policing has gained significant importance in the recent years. Safer neighbourhood policing (SNP) involves improving the conditions of different communities through working in partnerships and focusing on those matters that are of major concern for the society. The major role in this case is played by the police in particular areas creating partnerships with the local partners and hence naming it as neighbourhood policing, trying to achieve safety and security for the public in the respective local areas (Glossary of terms 2006). With the need for safety and security, the safer neighbourhood policing was started to be considered having a symbolic presence in the community (House of Commons 2008). Prominence of SNP in Policing: SNP in policing enables the police service to deal with issues in localities in a more focused manner. Individual police forces raised the priority levels of dealing with particular types of incidents. Eventually the connection, communication, and relationship between the police service and the local public could also be improved with the neighbourhood policing (House of Commons 2008). With the implementation of SNP, the program seeks to “create improved mutual understanding between the police and the public, uniting them in their efforts to prevent crime” (Regoli and Hewitt 2008). The safer neighbourhood policing can be considered as a true style of policing as local people get involved in tracking criminal activities and criminals and hence tackle different issues together with the police ensuring a safe and secure society (About Safer Neighbourhoods 2013). Cities like London have already developed plans for neighbourhood policing that also reflect on the prominence of such policing within the police service and the future prospects of such partnered crime management. Criminal activities, anti-social behavior and acts, abandoned properties are some of the issues that are most likely dealt by these teams. The teams are particularly focused on understanding and fulfilling the needs of the specific neighbourhood that they are in charge of and thus prevent crimes, and maintain public order in the area. With local organizations and local authorities the police departments try to work on the fundamentals intending to manage crimes in the areas (About Safer Neighbourhoods 2013). Thus owing to the huge benefits it provides, safer neighbourhood policing has gained significant prominence within the police service. Countries like England are developing plans to encourage SNP more in the local areas determined to improve police services for the public. It is difficult for the police to handle all crimes alone without the assistance of the local governments, local organizations and authorities. Voluntary actions of the local people are welcome as they together with the police are expected to ensure greater service to the public in general. However, it is also needed to take into consideration that if the agencies fail to work collaboratively, then the consequences would be negative and affect the effectiveness of policing in the region. Thus the local framework needs to be strongly built with partners and communities having their views and opinions being discussed to deliver in prevention and management of crimes in an effective manner (Safe and Confident Neighbourhoods Strategy: Next Steps in Neighbourhood Policing 2010). If this can be achieved, it can be said that the SNP would be the future of policing with increased prominence in the coming years across the world. Conclusion: SNP or safer neigbourhood policing has been found to be highly effective in managing crimes and problems faced by local areas with responsibilities being shared as partners between the local people, organizations and authorities and the police departments. If agencies can work collaboratively and coordinately, then SNP can be expected to improve the management of crimes better, also improving the relation of the public and the police. References About Safer Neighbourhoods (2013) MET. [Online]. Available at: http://content.met.police.uk/Article/About-Safer-Neighbourhoods/1400006213008/1400006213008 [Accessed 11 September 2013]. Building Communities, Beating Crime, A Better Police Service for the 21st Century: Cm. 6360 (2004) United Kingdom: The Stationery Office. Cordner, G., Das, D.K. and A. Cordner (2010) Urbanization, Policing, and Security: Global Perspectives. United States: CRC Press. Functions, Roles and Duties of Police in General (n.d.) NIC. [Online]. 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