Community Policing and Problem Solving - Research Paper Example

Why is it essential for those police organizations that have not done so to leave the traditional reactive method of policing in the future, and why is a community oriented policing and problem-solving method the best approach for stopping crime/offenders? Put simply, it isn’t. Certainly, pro-active policing has a place in law enforcement and has demonstrably been used to reduce overall crime rates whilst policing focused on problem solving within the community is also a valid approach in some instances. Studies1 have shown that reactive policing has a role in future policing policy and development of strategies to address crime. However these studies also examine the efficacy of reactive and proactive policing and where the latter should be used in conjunction with the more traditional methodologies employed by policing organisations as the use of pro-active policing in addressing the occurrence of some crimes is fundamentally ineffective. Reactive policing is essentially police work which takes place after a crime has taken place: investigative work, building a case, targetting a suspect, arrest and eventually court. Pro-active policing focuses more strategically on preventative strategies which include a community focus. Yet, defining community oriented policing may be perceived as more of a philosophy than an approach whereby the police engage more fully with and develop working relationships with the community.2 This overall statement is consisted of a common structure adopted by policing organisations globally which involves four key aspects: the philosophical, the strategic, the tactical and finally, the organisational.3 Each dimension triggers the next. For example, the philosophical provides the core mandate under which key strategies may be developed. Subsequently, a tactical approach is constructed around the key strategies which in turn impacts on the grass-roots, organisational approach to policing. This is best exemplified by the following: Philsophical statement: Identifying the community as pivotal to identifying issues relating to crime > Strategic statement: Police focus on community perceptions of crime, safety and the role of police and community in adopting preventative measures > Tactical statement: Police establish working relationships within the community to better understand current and emerging issues relating to crime (problem oriented policing) > Organisational statement: coordinating activities and sharing information through established networks to address crime related issues at a community level, thereby broadening the scope of the role of police within the community. Whilst this is simply one example of community oriented policing, it provides an indicator as to how other statements under the provided key headings can be developed, resulting in changing practices in field policing. Proactive policing and community involvement are integral to each other. Yet, there is evidence to show that community oriented policing and problem solving tactics are ineffective at addressing specific crimes. A review of drug law enforcement interventions4 was problematic in terms of measuring successful outcomes in preventative and reactive policing strategies as often a reduction in arrests is symptematic of a reduction in crime. However arrests and call-out figures are reactive responses yet part of the intervention outcome measurements. Subsequently, identifying and establishing outcomes for proactive measures can often be challenging. If these measures are adopted, the review provided evidence through meta-analysis that pro-active policing was not strongly supported although it was accepted that this material was more ‘indicative than definitive’.5 As a stand-alone policy, a shift to focusing solely on community oriented policing and problem solving is not feasible as there will always be a call for reactive policing in response to crime, particularly serious, organised, professional or opportunistic crime. There is a role for both forms of policing within communities. Reactive policing and community oriented policing should be employed in partnership to address issues relating to crime. The US Department of Justice recognises the need for both by maintaining exiting reactive policing policies and strategies whilst also introducing the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)6 which through information and grants, promotes community based policing and problem solving. Their mandate is as follows: ‘Community policing is a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies which support the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques, to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime. Rather than simply responding to crimes once they have been committed, community policing concentrates on preventing crime and eliminating the atmosphere of fear it creates. Earning the trust of the community and making those individuals stakeholders in their own safety enables law enforcement to better understand and address both the needs of the community and the factors that contribute to crime.’7 COPS recognises that partnerships with the community are important at the Local, State and National law enforcement agency levels yet reactive policing continues to feature as an integral component of addressing crime. Whilst agencies and the community can take pro-active steps to assist in the prevention of crime, reactive policing continues to be a key part of addressing crime. Yet the inherent responsibility of communties to assume a role of prevention and self-policing rather than relying entirely on reactive policing methodologies has emerged as a contemporary part-solution to an ever challenging issue. Other avenues of problem solving within the community are reflected in the research and information available through the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing, whose mission statement clearly supports the ‘concept and practice of problem-oriented policng in open and democratic societies’.8 Such organisations assist in educating the general public about the value of participating in problem solving and crime prevention, again highlighting the value of community involvement in crime identification, preventative action and issues relevant to specific localities. Community oriented policing involves not only close partnerships with the community and problem solving but also change management strategies within the law enforcement organisation. The role of police officers is expanded to include a consultative, engagement and information sharing function, reducing not only crime but the fear of crime. Whereby reactive policing is based on a protocol model, community oriented policing and problem solving is a more flexible, inclusive approach to crime. Each community is identified as having different needs through established partnerships and subsequently, long-term solutions can be provided founded on locality and individual community needs rather than a prescriptive, holitistic approach to law enforcement. Most law enforcement agencies throughout the US, Canada and the UK have adopted the S.A.R.A. (or S.A.R.A.M.) methodology for community oriented policing.9 This methodology involves Scanning, Analyzing, Responding, Assessing and Maintenance of a problem. In short, a problem is identified before it is determined how much of a problem it is as well as when it is a problem, what are its causes and who is affected. An appropriatre respnse is then developed in the short or long term before being assessed in terms of their effectiveness. This model recognises that problem solving is only truly efficient when a long term solution is identified and maintained, reducing or eradicating the problem. This outcome is considered to be the most desirable. Community oriented policing and problem solving has its own inherent issues. There has been little exploration on the subject matter of ethics and its relationship to policing organisations, particularly in consideration of the expanded role of police and their closer relationships with the community. Whilst there is appears to be significant support for this shift away from traditional policing forms as is evidenced through the development of methodologies and dedicated units throughout the US, there is increased risk regarding ethical behaviour. Perhaps the S.A.R.A. model could be expanded to include risk assessment as part of the asessing aspect of the methodology. Crime will always exist in a society where profit and material acquisition are part measures by which a person’s worth is judged. While there continues to be people who will exploit others to achieve their own ends regardless of what measures may be in place, reactive policing will continue to have a role. Yet community engagement and participation in crime prevention and problem solving are emerging as complementary solutions, with reactive policing, to crime. Unless the face of democratic society changes entirely, neither reactive nor community oriented policing can stand alone as effective strategies in addressing crime and recidivism within communities. BIBLIOGRAPHY Mazerolle, L. Soole, D. & Rombouts, S. (2005). Bulletin No. 6: Review of drug law enforcement interventions. DPMP Bulletin Series. Fitzroy: Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre. Peak, K. & Glensor, R. (1999) Community Policing & Problem Solving: Strategies & Practices. 2nd Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Cordner, G. (1998) "Community Policing: Elements & Effects", G. Alpert & A. Piquero (eds) Community Policing: Contemporary Readings. Illinois: Waveland Press http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/ http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/Default.asp?Item=35 http://www.popcenter.org/about/ www.fpdct.com/comission_minutes/Fairfield%20Report.doc Read More