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Wednesday 9 January 2019

Foundation Of Effective Community Policing Programs

By Brenda Thompson


Communities that have joined law enforcers in addressing security issues have continued to enjoy calm and order. Tension between people and police has reduced, enabling greater cooperation in securing neighborhoods. However, community policing programs do not work automatically. They need to be founded on some of the strongest pillars that integrate law enforcement and the role of people in the scheme of things.

Trust is the glue that enables police and ordinary people to work together. A person believes that his or her issue will be addressed once it is reported to the police. Police stop treating people with suspicion leading to altercations. People trust the police with information that would otherwise endanger their lives. Police also trust that the information passed to them by members of the public will be credible and help them maintain law and order.

The program should bring to fore the pillars of your community and make law enforcement aware of these values. Each neighborhood has unique cultures and routines that define coexistence. Some may be regarded as unacceptable in other communities. Unless the police understand your values and routines, it will be difficult to convince them that you are not engaged in criminal activities. The values are usually subtle and must never conflict with legal provisions.

Technology is at the center of any neighborhood policing initiative. People have cameras and can call police in an instant. They also want conversations and engagements with police recorded as proof and to justify their actions. Police officers are also required to keep their body and dashboard cameras rolling. Such technology simplifies resolution of cases and enhances trust because no one will claim discrimination.

Police should make it a priority to engage people in the neighborhood while people also engage police on their concerns. Issues should not be allowed to blow out of proportion as those police are non-existent. Police do not appear as lords or the people. In reverse, people do not view police as peers because they have a responsibility. It is mutual engagement that will ensure that the dignity of both people and police institution is preserved.

Training and awareness creation should be a priority. People need to understand the role of police, their procedures and areas where they will have to intervene. Police in return need to be conscious of rights of citizens and responsibilities of law enforcers over the neighborhoods they serve. Such training simplifies problem solving and makes it easier to de-escalate issues since each party is aware of the place of the other.

The dignity and regard of policemen and other law enforcers must be preserved at all times. People and police officers must see institutions whenever these officers are in neighborhoods. The enforcers must also follow the code of conduct that guides the institutions they serve. Such relationships lead to mutual respect and helps in the avoidance of confrontations. Officers can be respectful to their seniors while still serving the populace in the deserved manner.

The basics of effective community policing initiative are to address local social issues. It is the responsibility of people and the police to actualize these programs for mutual benefit. When each of these entities plays his or her role effectively, neighborhoods become safer and police officers enjoy their work.




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