Sir Robert Peel's Concept of Community Policing in Today's Society - Term Paper Example

Abstract The objective of the essay is to proffer Sir Robert Peel’s position on policing, as related to the diverse needs of the present day population. Sir Robert Peel’s Position on Policing The evolution of law enforcement in the United States has transcended over time with the ultimate goal of protection and crime prevention. A prominent figure in the history of law enforcement and policing is Sir Robert Peel whose contributions in terms on nine principles of policing are relevant and applicable until contemporary times. The objective, therefore, of the essay is to proffer Sir Robert Peel’s position on policing, as related to the diverse needs of the present day population. Nine Principles of Policing Principle 1: The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder. Peel contended that the critical role of the police in ensuring that crime is prevented could be enforced through a form of patrolling (Larrabee, 2007, 1). Although he designed this guiding principle during the early 1900s, its applicability is still being enforced. In the discourse by Wilson & Kelling (1982), on their famous “Broken Windows Concept”, the basic mission for the existence of law enforcers is manifested in the presence of the police as a figure to restore peace and order is a necessary requirement using the broken windows theory - but not the ultimate factor for crime deterrence. The success of its application was assisted by the participative collaboration of community members combined with the determination and power vested in the public police. Through patrolling, the mere presence of the police figure in communities was deemed effective to prevent crime and to restore peace and order in the community. Principle 2: The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon public approval of police actions. The success of any endeavor is determined by the amount of commitment and participation of constituents in the area. The successful implementation of patrolling under the Broken Windows Concepts was primarily due to the conformity of community members to the presence of police forces patrolling in their area. Their support and approval of the police actions paved the way for ensuring maintenance of peace through orderly submission to law. Principle 3: Police must secure the willing cooperation of the public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the public. Consistent with the previous principle, the relevant factors in this concern is public approval and cooperation. As averred by Larrabee (2007, 2), “public approval of the police will increase the effectiveness of law enforcement”. The police cannot compel society into enforcing laws which are deemed useless and ineffective. Only those that are viewed by the community as helpful to restoring peace and safety would be supported. Older generation who seek assistance of the police through reporting unruly teenagers and misdemeanors assist in terms of relaying public approval, cooperation and support to the police’s mission of maintaining order and preventing crime. Principle 4: The degree of cooperation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionally to the necessity of the use of force. The use of force is sometimes a critical and controversial power enforced by the police for crime prevention. With technological advancements, the police used different security instruments to enforce rules especially in areas or locations where crime continues to persist. As shown in the community in New York where the Broken Windows Concept was originally enforced, the cooperation of the community members contributed to a peaceful transition of allowing police patrol in their area without violence or the use of force. Principle 5: Police seek and preserve public favor not by catering to public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law. Our contemporary situation, however, intermittently requires some imposition of force to regain peace and order. In times of state visits by political figures from different nationalities, stricter security is enforced to ensure safety at all times. When a foreign dignitary, example, the Head of the Catholic Church in the presence of the Pope, visits any country for the matter, police force is sometime applied to contain unruly crowd and to prevent potential harm to visitors and to the public, in general. Principle 6: Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when the expertise of persuasion, advice and warning is found to be insufficient. The element of due process is always an important ingredient in any governing body. A set of rules which guide formal structures require a code of conduct or discipline consistent with ethical principles. The use of excessive force has always been regarded as a violation of human rights. According to Larrabee (2007, 2), “excessive force has been a public concern and the first sign of community mistrust in the police.” In this regard, all efforts must be exhausted by the police before some form of force is employed, as called for in diversely critical situations. An example of a scenario requiring imposition of police force is “when police are faced with dispersing large crowds, it is necessary for the public to have the respect to follow police orders. When individuals lack trust and respect for the police, riots may occur, which can also lead to arrests, serious injuries, and even death” (Larrabee, 2007, 2). Principle 7: Police at all time should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition; the police are public and the public are the police. The police being only full-time individuals charged with the duties that are incumbent on all of the citizens. The theoretical framework underpinning this principle is Peel’s concept of community policing. According to the National Crime Prevention Council (2006, 18) “community policing is an organization-wide philosophy and management approach that promotes partnerships, proactive problem solving, and community engagement to address the causes of crime, fear of crime, and other community issues”. The police, as a law enforcement figure, could not be solely responsible and accountable for ensuring protection and crime prevention without the wholehearted support of community members. It is their vigilance and approval to the roles that the police take that makes policing effective. In communities where criminals notoriously hide, members who bravely report the whereabouts of these figures assist in crime prevention. In addition, the public who would not allow any form of misdemeanor or petty crimes to go undetected are instrumental in providing justice and ensuring peace in their neighborhoods. Principle 8: Police should always direct their actions strictly towards their functions and never appear to usurp the powers of the judiciary. The important element to remember in this principle is the police acknowledging that their functions as law enforcers have limitations. They cannot, in any way, put justice into their own hands. They cannot prevent the crime and convict the criminal, at the same time. There are delineations to functions of law enforcers and those of the judiciary. Police are expected to adhere to the scope of their responsibilities. In drug related crimes, for example, the police are expected to handle drug pushers and users with diligence and vigilance due to the delicate nature of drug syndicated activities. The more complicated criminal activities are, the more that the police are expected to stick to the tasks expected of them and not to go beyond what is called for in their job. Every criminal is still given the right to defend themselves and classify them as innocent until proven otherwise. There is a legal venue beyond the police’s jurisdiction for these. Principle 9: The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it. Finally, Peel averred the true test of police effectiveness in the implementation of their responsibilities is the absence of crime and complete peace in society. Since the basic mission, as identified in principle 1 is the prevention of crime and disorder, the police would only be rendered successful if this goal is effectively attained. Conclusion Larrabee (2007, 4) aptly concluded by proffering that “Sir Robert Peel established that police and the people of the community are equal in terms of effective policing. It is extremely necessary to have effective communication between the two in order for any concept to be successful.” Actually, aside from effective communication, the commitment of each group – the police and the community – to keep their respective communities in order, free from crime and injustice, is critical in the fundamental premise of Peel’s nine principles of policing. It really takes cooperation, active involvement, and genuine concern for all members of society to protect each and every one from instigation of disorder and from the proliferation of crime. References Larrabee, A.K. (2007). Law Enforcement: Sir Robert Peel's Concept of Community Policing in Today's Society. Retrieved 14 May 2010. National Crime Prevention Council. (2006). Crime Prevention: History and Theory. Retrieved 14 May 2010. < www.ncpc.org> Wilson, J.Q. & Kelling, G.L. (1982). Broken Windows. Retrieved 23 April 2010. < http://www.manhattan-institute.org/pdf/_atlantic_monthly-broken_windows.pdf> Read More