Community Policing: A Case Study

“Community policing is, in essence, a collaboration between the police and the community that identifies and solves community problems” (U.S. Department of Justice, 1994, p. vii). Throughout the years, community policing has become a more popular strategy to help law enforcement officials control and deter crime; however, some areas across the United States has had problems in the past with communities and law enforcement working together to ensure a secure and safe environment. Although it is an officer’s duty to maintain order, keep the peace, and solve problems within the area he or she

In light of recent events that have caused rifts in relations between local law enforcement and communities have caused problems that needs to be addressed. To address this issue, the NYPD issued an executive order to establish a new unit called COP- Community Oriented Policing. The NYPD currently has Community Affairs division Bureau established to foster a positive police-community relations. However, it lacks the structure, staff and functions needed to work with community leaders and others to improve the community and relationship. The COP unit under the NYPD section is needed to create a viable community policing as well as working together for crime reduction in communities.

Throughout our country, we obtain a plethora of demographics, cultures and traditions. Within these communities, we have individuals who protect and serve, ensuring a safe environment for all. Understanding community life, as well as proper community communication can ensure a healthy bond between police and society. Within the line of duty, the men and women of the police force tie bonds between safety and community relations. In order for the relationship to be hand in hand, the community and unit must work together as a team to ensure a decrease in crime.

After carefully evaluating research relating to some of the issues within the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, I choose community oriented policing because I believe this is a more achievable top short-term goal. I selected this particular topic because I believe by implementing an effective strategic plan for community oriented policing, the citizens as well as the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office will come together to identify and resolve issues that have been effecting the livelihood of the entire community for decades now. In addition, other areas like diversity issues, public relations, training and positive leadership by first-line supervisors.

Throughout the years, law and order have become prevalent in its efforts to maintain control and prevent criminal activity. For some time now, the Stanislaus Police Department has utilized Community Oriented Policing in its efforts to do just that. However, citizens still seem to complain about the way police officers do their jobs. The public does not have a positive outlook on law enforcement at this time; thus, the department requires finding ways in which to repair its relationship with the community. The belief is that in order to make the department better and build a better relationship with the community, several things require change. For one, the department needs to adjust its current management style, put an emphasis on officer training,

These types of community involvement foster the positive growth and relations that are needed to ease the tensions with law enforcement. These programs help build trust and can give the community a sense of security. However, incidents such as excessive force can tear away any sense of unity that the aforementioned programs build. In an incident that

The building of trust within the community is the cornerstone of a successful police department. A great amount of effort is needed in order to maintain the communities trust. Establishing a trusting relationship between law enforcement and the community has the ability to assist in police officers doing their job more effectively, makes the job safer and helps to decrease litigation issues that have often been an issue for local departments. Unfortunately, decades of mistrust make it difficult to establish trust. This combined with the lack of positive police presence within the community has built a hostile relationship between law enforcement and the community (Skogan, 2005). A large amount of citizens’ interaction with law enforcement is

Everyday police are under increasing pressure to produce positive results to fight crime and make it safe to walk down our streets. In order for law enforcement agencies to meet these ever arduous pressures and demands from the community they constantly strive for new strategies. In response to the pressure two methods have been developed and have been gaining popularity since the mid 80’s and they are community oriented policing (COP) and problem-oriented policing (POP).

An ongoing question in today's society is,“How can the relationship of the police and communities

In the United States, there are places where there is a large disconnect between law enforcement and communities. Examples of these places include New York City and Ferguson, Missouri where relationships between the agencies and predominantly people of color are difficult (Comey, 2015). Not only will education of individuals allow citizens to better understand their rights (ACLU, 2016), but also the education of the police through communication with citizens. Citizens should be able to feel like they play a part in their communities, they should be able to have an opinion on issues and express their ideas to better their environments through constructive ways. For this to happen, police must be willing to hear issues concerning communities

Members of the community as well as law enforcement have a mutual influence on one another. The ability of the police to function as an effective service is often predicated on the positive image they maintain with the general public (Wentz & Schlimgen, 2012). In order for police to function in the most efficient way a positive relationship with the community is of the up most Importance.

There are multiple approaches to engaging a police force with the community in order to most effectively prevent and respond to crime, and considering the relative strengths and weakness of each of these strategic models will demonstrate how models can impact the operation of daily policing practices and activities. The model under discussion here is called community oriented policing (COP), and focuses on building relationships and rapport between officers and the community in order to more effectively prevent crime. It is augmented by a model called problem solving policing (PSP), and depends upon rank-and-file officers identifying community problem areas through direct observation and analysis. Each model excels at slightly different things, and in practice most police agencies deploy a mix of models. By examining the Miami-Dade Police Department's handbook for school resource officers, it will be possible to view a COP/PSP policy in action in order to better understand how these models practically affect policing.

Community relation issues across the nation have been increasing and causing many conflicts between law enforcement and communities. There has been so much disorder between communities and law enforcements not agreeing on how situation have been handled. Both the community and law enforcements having different perspectives on making decisions without ever looking at the others side and acknowledging each other’s reasoning behind their actions. Racism, responsibility and morals are some of many terms that are yet to be sorted out within all these communities that have on going conflicts. The relationships between a community and its law enforcement is important, although it is the police job to enforce, it is also the communities job to enforce all day and everyday (Russell).

There is a perception of distrust between law enforcement and the community. This distrust stems directly from the dangerous words police use when communicating with the community. (Willis, 2015, p.) Simply choosing better words can help build relationships between law enforcement and the community. It is necessary for law enforcement to have trust with their community. There are many things that hinge on the police-community relationships, the ability of law enforcement to perform their duties, are the most important. Law enforcement must be willing to rely on the public to observe the law. They must always demonstrate absolute impartiality to the law.

Today, many departments, including Ben from the case study has relied on the practice of a theory known as the community of practice or community policing. The community on policing is the process and formation of the collection of varying ideas and thoughts shared in a particular domain. In essence a community of practice is the joining of a group of people who share a common concern or goal. In the case study, Ben interacted with various members of his community, such as private citizens, community groups, and business owners to discuss the impact that the police force in the area had. Through this practice, Ben was able to establish and maintain relationships, with the community, which allowed both parties to learn from each other.