The American justice system has faced criticism that it is failing victims of crime. The system has failed to ensure that the rights of the victims are protected (Meng, 2016). This has caused many to lose faith in the justice system. Since they are part of the justice system, the accusations of failing victims also apply to police officers. To redeem themselves, police officers need to urgently institute measures for improving how they serve victims of crime.
Establishing clear communication channels is one of the measures that the police can take so that they are able to better serve crimes of victims (“Enhancing Law Enforcement”, n.d). Through these channels, the police will be able to assure the victims that they care and that they are committed to ensuring that justice is served. Another measure that the police can pursue is providing moral and material support (“Enhancing Law Enforcement”, n.d). They should provide victims with the support that they need. For examples, victims of sexual and physical violence should be provided with medical services.
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Serving as the voice of victims is yet another solution that the police can implement (“Enhancing Law Enforcement”, n.d). The police need to aggressively champion for the rights of victims. For example, they may lobby legislators to enact laws which impose tougher penalties on perpetrators of crime. To better serve victims of crime, the police also need to enhance access. They should see to it that all victims are able to obtain police services as and when they need to. For instance, the police should make it easier for victims to report crimes. Perhaps the measure that is most effective in attending to the needs of victims of crime is guaranteeing that justice is served (“Enhancing Law Enforcement”, n.d). One of the mandates of the police is to pursue justice. Victims feel discouraged when perpetrators walk free. The police must ensure that all perpetrators are punished for their crimes. In addition to restoring confidence in the police, the implementation of this proposal will also allow the victims to feel that they are valued.
References
Meng, G. (2016). Op-Ed. How the Justice System Violates Victims’ Human Rights. Retrieved
8 th October 2017 from http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-meng-victims-human-rights-20160804-snap-story.html
Enhancing Law Enforcement Response to Victims: Training Supplemental. (n.d).Retrieved 8 th
October 2017 from http://www.theiacp.org/Portals/0/pdfs/responsetovictims/pdf/pdf/Supplemental_pages_9_21C.pdf
