Citizen Police Interactions
The reason that community policing establishes a bond between the community and police officers is that the communication and work they do together establishes a bond and trust between the two. Without community policing there is a feeling that there are police and citizens that do not work together. When the members of the community feel a bond with the police working in that community they are more likely to work together relying on one another as people that they can depend on. The alternative is a community that feels separated from the force that is sworn to protect them. By letting the community become involved in solving crimes they feel like they are part of the big picture and more willing to cooperate with police officers. This makes doing the job a lot easier than if police officers are trying to solve crimes in a community that they are not close with. Having the cooperation also helps to prevent crime from happening because criminals will have fewer places to hide when they know so many people are involved and helping (Assistance, 2016).
Excessive force can be an issue when it comes to a community being able to establish a sense of trust with the community. If the community is afraid of the officers which are meant to protect them it is likely that they will not cooperate with the officers on any level. However, excessive force is not the only issue. Frankly any use of force can frighten members of the community and put a wall up between them and the police officers. Officers face dangerous situations every day so it is important that they can protect their selves and they are given permission to use force to do so when it is needed. The problem can be establishing a point of reference for when it is okay to use force. The issue with determining this is everyone’s view of what is acceptable and what is excessive is different depending on who is viewing the situation. To help keep the bond with a community it is important in community policing to exercise control and help the public understand the times that using force (even when excessive) is needed and that there is a difference between this and unwarranted use of force. Excessive force can be used if a situation is in need of it but in no situation is unwarranted force acceptable (Services, 2016).
Policing practices that are currently used in community policing are intended to help minimize criminal activity while working with the community. One policing practice that has set the basis for this is community partnerships. This is where officers form a relationship and bond with the members of the community which helps develop reliability between the two. By doing this regular people can help officers by watching for criminal activity and relaying it helping them feel like they are a part of keeping their community safe. When people feel like they are all under a watch or considered criminals they are less likely to work with officers and help solve crimes. Another policing practice that is important is organizational transformation. This is where the police department itself goes through necessary changes to help there officers learn to work with the community rather than against them. After training certain police men and women will be given the opportunity to make their own decisions on how to become part of the community and create the necessary bond that promotes community policing. Giving officers room for their own decision making means they will not have to go exactly by the books. Even though officers would still be following all of the rules of the law they would have more room to spend time in the community and develop relationships that will help officers learn to rely on the community and help the community rely on the officers. This mutual respect and need is what community policing is all about. It changes the perspective of officers and members of the community. Instead of cops running everything they will be able to work with the citizens and find a mutual way to keep the neighborhoods safe and crime free (Docobo, 2016).
References
Assistance, B. (2016). Understanding Community Policing (1st ed., p. monograph). NCJRS. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/commp.pdf
Docobo, J. (2016). Community Policing as the Primary Prevention Strategy for Homeland Security at the Local Law Enforcement Level | HOMELAND SECURITY AFFAIRS. Hsaj.org. Retrieved 5 February 2016, from https://www.hsaj.org/articles/183
Services, C. (2016). COPS Office: Use of Force. Cops.usdoj.gov. Retrieved 5 February 2016, from http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/default.asp?Item=1374
