Benefits of The Idea of Community Policing

The idea of the police and the public working together to help reduce crime is the cornerstone of community policing. Efforts to enhance the relationship between the public and the police should be a top priority. If every member of the public was treated as if they were an important part of stopping crime from infiltrating the community, they may be more likely to work with police officers. Overlooking certain members of the community can lead to a one-sided, biased point of view about what is happening. Perhaps certain individuals are not as credible as others, but they still may have something relevant to contribute to an investigation. Getting multiple perspectives from different members of the community and talking with people from all walks of life would create a sense of unity and result in people working together for the common good. If people felt as though police officers were working with them and not against them they might be more willing to comply with their requests and answer questions truthfully. By prioritizing the relationship between law enforcement agents and members of the public many enhancements to policing could take place.

Are you Looking For A Custom Essay about “Benefits of the Idea of Community Policing” NOW? You Found It!

Professional Writers that Guarantee an On-time Delivery

experts online

Get custom essays

There are different types of policing methods that all prove to be beneficial in helping to fend off crime. Both tactical and strategical efforts are important in crime fighting efforts. Information that can be utilized immediately would qualify as tactical intelligence. Strategic intelligence involves working to gather information to identify an appropriate course of action. Examining these patterns can prove very beneficial in preventing crime for occurring. All types of policing tend to be similar, because they intersect and share a common goal, to effectively reduce or eliminate crime. Yet these various types of policing are fundamentally different in terms of operations and methods of acquiring intelligence. Efficiency of community policing rests on establishing familiarity and greater transparency between police officers and members of the public. Problem-Oriented Policing concentrates on pooled facts and data to identify specific areas of frequent crime and types of frequent crime in that specific area. Intelligence-Led Policing relies on all this information combined, to apply it to tactical and strategic crime fighting within the department force. They are all beneficial strategies of policing and offer an insight into improving operations within law enforcement.

The idea of community members making up the police force, and working together was exemplified by the early English policing model. This early English system was made up of members of the community and is similar to the idea of community policing because community members were very involved in helping to maintain order. Today, police officers hold a much more official authority than they did back then, since early English policing was less formal and less organized. Currently police officers are sometimes viewed as “above-the-law” by members of the general public rather than members of the community. This view can make it difficult for the police and the public to work together. These early policing structures helped to shape the basis of all police forces today which shows there is a significant benefit to involving the public in an effort to eliminate crime by working together.

Investigative detectives normally use three methods of data collection including specific, general and informative components. Strategies such as undercover assignments and staging sting operations have proved to be successful ways to apprehend criminals. This is very hands on police work, and can be dangerous for the officer in some instances. The paper work affiliated with criminal investigations can be overwhelming and incredibly time consuming, yet it is essential in successful convictions as well as creating new policing techniques. The creation of specialized units within the police force can also lead to a more organized investigational flow. The police force also has access to cutting edge technology to help them identify criminals which has helped to enhance the process of the investigation.

By focusing on the areas that are high in incivility, and isolating the nature of these occurrences, they can put the proper measures in place to thwart criminal activity. These types of preliminary crime measures and preventative policing stop the rates of these crimes from climbing. Taking a hands-on approach and using personal problem solving to stop crime can be very useful. Yet it is crucial that these officers keep in mind the rules of the law so that all evidence obtained is ruled admissible in court.

Proper enforcement of the law begins with the intention of serving the community. Considering that most of an officer’s time is spent handling minor disturbances within the community their main goal should be to maintain stability. Community service creates a sense of trust and acquaints the police with the public. Maintaining balance within the community will lead to less crime in general. Many law enforcement agents have been hired to establish a presence within the community through patrols and deter crime in a proactive manner.

The government is spending more money now than ever before on efforts to increase police patrols and militarize police operations. The force is more organized and operating under a very clear-cut set of standards and rules. With frequent news stories regarding injustice by the hands of law enforcement, it is very important for police officers to adhere to the guidelines set regarding the law. Fairness and equality are goals promoted amongst law enforcement agencies through requirements such as the time-in-rank system. Essential police experience is gained by spending time in lower ranking positions while earning respect and gaining knowledge along the way. Those who exhibit effort and consistency while in lower ranking positions prove that they take their position seriously and earn advancement.

Get a Personal "Benefits of the Idea of Community Policing" Tailored Essay For You in 3 Hours!

100% Customized to Your Need with Expert Writers Get custom essays

It is important to establish oneself amongst the community as an upstanding officer and gain the peoples trust, while simultaneously gaining a personal perspective of the public, before being promoted to a higher rank.