Abstract
The philosophy of community policing is consistent and does not vary from one police department to another or even a law enforcer to another law enforcer. Nevertheless, the approach in which it is carried out may perhaps change frequently. Community policing considers the entire social order as accountable for the safety of the public and not the police solitarily. The viewpoint on community policing relaxes on the understanding that the police ought to be partner members with the community inhabitants so as jointly the priorities of the area relating to the fear of crime, crime and disorderliness can be addressed. The law enforcers are supposed to be further involved and conscious of the nuances and characteristics of the communities, which they police. The law enforcers are motivated to understand the community, pay attention to their issues and involve them in the efforts of finding solutions to the problems they encounter. The tactics or strategies of enforcement are done away with instead the deciding organ tool of the police officers has to carry on its work effectively. Community policing needs ownership that is shared, making of decision and responsibility along with a commitment, which should be sustained by both the communities and the law enforcers
Introduction
COPPS is policing philosophy, which promotes and up holds the strategies of an organization, in addressing the causes and decreasing the fear of social disorder and crime through tactics that are problem solving and partnerships with the community police. Community policing brings citizens and the police together with the intention of preventing crime and solving the neighborhood problems that could be existing. Through the process of community policing, emphasis is put on the bringing to an end the criminal activities prior to their occurrence rather than respond to service calls after the occurrence of crime. Community policing grants the inhabitants additional authority over the standard of life in their social order. Community policing implies the police will become a component of the neighborhood. This will assist the law enforcers with a better feeling on the requirements of the residents and consequently assist them with the development of larger confidence in the police. In the fundamental nature, the social order shall become a segment of the police department. In collaboration, in their working, together, the social order and the department of police will function in harmony in order to accomplish an objective of a secure, better location to live and bring up a family (Kappeler & Gaines, 2012).
The policing activity shifts the focal point of the police work from reacting to individual occurrences to dealing with problems recognized by the social order, as well as, the police. The policing activity puts emphasis on the utilization of approaches that are problem solving in order to supplement the conventional methods of law enforcement. Accordingly, the community is supposed to acknowledge and share the responsibilities with the police officers for the purpose of attaining order in the society. Both the communities and the police officers should function cooperatively in the identification of problems and development of the broader community solutions that are pro active. It is noteworthy taking into consideration that community policing is still law implementation. The philosophy of community policing is not soft on crime rather it is harder on crime compared to the conventional policing. This is because it presents a further comprehensive approach, which is creative. In consultations with the communities, focus is shifted on the activities of the law enforcers more efficiently owing to the involvement of the community. Consequently, the law enforcement officers receive additional information, which grants them the capability of responding further efficiently with the arrest or additional appropriate activities regarding the cases that are at hand. Accordingly, the process of community policing acknowledges the significance of having confidence in the law enforcement officers and motivates them to get out of their patrolling vehicles and venture into the community (Miller et al, 2011).
The values of community policing take into consideration every resident in a social order, the holders of commercial ventures, as well as, children the law enforcement officers come across when carrying out their duties. The value is similar to the values of issuing arrests or having tickets written. Reinstating the law enforcers back to beat is the foundation stone of the community policing. In addition to improving the conditions of life, this action results in secure streets within the jurisdiction or location any police officer operates. Through the actions of the police officers getting out of their patrolling vehicles and onto the streets, allows for these law enforcers to build a relationship with the inhabitants and the persons carrying out business. Furthermore, the police officer learns about the concerns of the people and consequently an understanding is created between the inhabitants and the law enforcers. The values of community policing allow for assistance in remedying the problems existence in the neighborhood as the police officers engage in more than just responding to criminal activities. The police officers also look for techniques through which crime can be barred and instead enhance the quality of life. Consequently, individuals shall be kept in touch with the other agencies of community service. Such agencies possibly include agencies, which can assist with the problems relating to the abuse of drugs and alcohol, domestic violence and abuse of children among many other abuses (Miller et al, 2011).
The numerous measures put in place by the community policing activities will grant the police officers numerous rewards from the public and well wishers. The opportunities of creativity could be presented to the police officers. There are not frequently regulations and rules that are made use of in solving the diverse problems the law enforcement officers encounter. The police officers are frequently urged to make use of their thoughts in finding fresh or exceptional solutions to previous problems. The formation of partnerships with the members of the community presents a larger advantage to the police officers in solving crimes and preventing their recurrence. The dwellers frequently have information, which can assist the police with the identification of problems and when compulsory, make arrests. The community policing activities result in the expansionary conventional responsibilities of the law enforcement officers. In addition to toppling up as law enforcers, the police officers are presently mentors, teachers, and role models. Furthermore, the police officers may engage in added activities, besides their regular responsibilities. They may include such functions as working with community groupings in finding out and resolving the concerns the residents have and learning further concerning the problems of the community (Kappeler & Gaines, 2012).
The police officers could also provide lessons to the members of the community on the methods of preventing crime. For instance, the police officers could discuss on the methods of safeguarding homes, commercial venture and vehicles among many other assets. In addition, the members of the community can be made aware on the risky scenarios and techniques of avoiding them so as not to become a probable aim for crime. In working with the youth, the police officers could visit, or in the real sense, they could be assigned to institutions to impart knowledge or teach on anti alcoholism, anti drug abuse, anti gang and anti violence curriculum. In addition, the police officers could work with kids at exceptional events in the community. The dwellers of any neighborhood could be sharing a majority of similar issues and fears. The concerns may include such issues as safety. A case in point, the inhabitants could be concerned with the usage of drugs, violent crimes, vandalism or the safety of the children both within and out of the schools. Another issue is about the unwanted noise, which comprises of loud music, motorcycles, and loud conversations, barking dogs, arguments and dense vacant lots among many other elements. On the issue of neighborhood outlook, the problems encountered may perhaps be on the graffiti, litters run down constructions, and unkempt vacant lots. The problems emanating from traffic and parking may include certain neighbor hoods having massive traffic, which result in the slow movement and difficulty in finding a parking space. Certain neighborhoods may languish in high speed commuter traffic as the drivers take on alternative roads so as to evade the congestions. As already mentioned, the process of community policing creates a partnership between the citizens and the police. As a result, better communication is enhanced between the two partners. This is because community policing is founded on the concept of the police and the members of the community coming together so as to decrease the level of crime and consequently enhance life quality. The members of the community are granted the better opportunity of voicing their concerns with police dedicated to listening to the issues raised. Accordingly, greater influence is exerted in the arranging of priorities by the police as the residents can assist the police with the decision the utmost objectives (Miller et al, 2011).
Conclusion
The inhabitants have an input in the manner in which the resources of law enforcement ought to be spent. Community policing also serves to reduce fear. This is because it disintegrates the deterioration cycle. Consequently, the residents are granted the capacity of taking back whatever they could have lost. Consequently, the life quality of residents is augmented as the members derive a feeling of pride in the neighborhood from the joint working with the police. Above all, members of the community get to have a better knowledge of whatever the police perform. Residents can witness clearly whatever the challenges and pressures the police undergo daily. As a result, the relationship between the police and residents can be improved from the experience. Community participation is fundamental in the resolution of problems the community encounters as it serves to improve life quality of persons. The residents and the police should thus work together for the purpose of achieving their objectives. Members of the community should not wait for themselves in taking the lead as everybody in the social order shares in the responsibility of making community policing effective. The process of community policing is much effective when there is unity amongst the members.
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References
Kappeler, V. E., & Gaines, L. K. (2012). Community Policing: A Contemporary Perspective. Burlington: Elsevier Science.
Miller, L. S., Hess, K. M., & Orthmann, C. M. H. (2011). Community policing: Partnerships for problem solving. Australia: Delmar Cengage Learning.
