Crime Prevention Program
(Community Policing Program)
Community based crime prevention programs involve the community and operate within the jurisdictions of the specific community or residents. Residents are encouraged in working together with the agencies attached to the local government in addressing issues that contribute to disorder, crimes and delinquency. Residents are offered with key roles of planning for solutions and identifying problems affecting the community. This paper focuses on community policing as part of crime prevention program.
Community policing program is managed by the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), which is part of the United States Department of Justice. Community policing encourages direct collaboration between the community and the police in solving problems that are facing the community (Kappeler & Gaines, 2012). In this context, custodians of law and order are distributed among the police and members of the community in making sure that the quality and safety of the neighborhood is enhanced. Community policing has been influential in crime prevention and in crime control, a move that has led to the reorganization of the police departments in the United States (Ncjrs.gov., 1994).
Components or elements of community policing indicate that the neighborhood patrol officer works hand in hand with the police organization and with the community in mobilizing the necessary resources and support on issues of security (Kappeler & Gaines, 2012). Members of the community air their concerns and advice on constructing a safety partnership among the stakeholders (Miller et al., 2010). The model requires patience, trust, energy, understanding and creativity among other variables. There are a number of barriers that hinder community policing program depending on the neighborhoods, mainly characterized by mistrust and apathy. It has been noted that trust creates value that links and underlies partnerships in community policing as part of creating safe neighborhoods.
A foundation based on trust ensures close relationships between the communities and the police officers (Ncjrs.gov., 1994). Community policing is part of the recent developments as leaders in the community and leaders in the police force create models of improving the security of the neighborhoods (Miller et al., 2010). Sheriffs, Chiefs, community members and policing officials are encouraged to work together as teams in facilitating better quality of life in the neighborhoods.
Community policing is made up of diverse ethical, practical and philosophical approaches, it is also evolving with time with multicultural societies. The strategies engaged by community policing vary with the responses and needs of the communities (Kappeler & Gaines, 2012). Surveys have indicated that there are standardized considerations and principles in facilitating uniform efforts in community policing within the United States. Stakeholders in community policing engage constant learning as part of dealing with the new trends related to disorders and crimes (Ncjrs.gov., 1994). Community policing was originally developed with the intention of creating a learning experience among the police officers, members of the community and the lawmakers in curbing violence, crime and fear among other problems related with public safety.
The process of community policing is characterized with successes, failures and frustrations; in which the evolution of the program is based on. It has been noted that a dialogue is facilitated in community policing through technical assistance and direct training. Demonstration sites are facilitated by States, Counties and agencies attached to multiple police among other government agencies (Miller et al., 2010).
Community policing program has worked over the decades, but times are changing to an extent that some policies that worked earlier are no longer effective in the current context. If change within community policing programs will not be encouraged; then security, safety and a sense of well being will not be achieved in full. The American communities are changing with globalization and socialization. Urban areas particularly are facing high crisis levels with gang violence, illegal drugs, muggings, murders and burglaries. The social fabric of the United States is fading away with time. Family units are becoming more and more lose as compared to earlier decades, a model that is contributing to a weak community policing programs (Ncjrs.gov., 1994). The void is left vacant by single families, churches and schools. Immigrants, minorities and ethnic groups in the United States on the other hand have different goals and interests which fail to support community policing programs.
An example of a community policing program is the Memphis community policing program in the state of Tennessee (Memphispolice.org., 2013). The Memphis community policing program is under the Memphis police Department. The mission statement of Memphis community policing program is attached to cultivating, empowering and strengthening proactive partnerships, security educational programs and techniques in crime prevention (Memphispolice.org., 2013). The vision of Memphis community policing program is attached to building trust, mutual respect and confidence between the members of the community and the policing officers, as a model for improving the quality of life among the Memphis’ residents (Memphispolice.org., 2013).
The Memphis police department has developed a number of sub-programs within the Memphis community policing program. They are: Community Outreach Program (C.O.P), National Night Out, Neighborhood Watch, Hoops Challenge, Black History Knowledge Bowl, Real Talk, School Supply Drive, Real Talk, Clergy Academy, Christmas Toys Giveaway, Thanksgiving and Christmas Basket Giveaways and Citizen’s Police Academy (Memphispolice.org., 2013). The Memphis community policing program has been effective over the decades.
Community policing program has worked over the years, through direct participation of the members of the community, policing officers and the government. Safeguarding the neighborhood is the responsibility of the each and every member of the community in facilitating better quality of life. Traditional policing structures are being replaced by modern policing structures that are influenced by globalization and socialization.
References
Kappeler, V. & Gaines, L. K. (2012). Community Policing: A Contemporary Perspective. London: Anderson Press.
Memphispolice.org. (2013). Crime Prevention. Retrieved December 31, 2013, from Memphispolice.org: http://www.memphispolice.org/Community%20Programs.htm
Miller, L. S. et al. (2010). Community Policing: Partnerships for Problem Solving. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.
Ncjrs.gov. (1994). Understanding Community Policing. Bureau of Justice Assistance , 1-53.
