The System of Community Policing in Law Enforcement

Introduction 

Besides the provision of good housing, and food among other essential needs, security has become a vital aspect in most communities. For purposes of ensuring that public security is of quality, involved stakeholders are joining up to promote a collective participation. According to experts, community policing is the practice of building an association and collaboration between law enforcers and the entire community to ensure the security of the area is compacted. The system of community policing, contribute to the ability of police officers familiarizing with the locals and working closely together in taming crime among other offences and vices. While the practice of community policing traces back in the early 80s, it has gained momentum in the current century considering the impact it has on involved parties especially civilians. 

Depending on the society and the management of the officers, various departments apply different strategies in their community policing. The most common practice is when officers patrol a given neighbourhood and monitoring every activity taking place. A particular officer who is more familiar with this community and the people is the one more likely to be assigned the area in question with the help of another officer. Part of their duties besides securing the location is to build a strong relationship between the law enforcers and the members of the community through engagement in various activities and socializing with individuals. With the changes taking place in our current world, even the strategies and tactics of community policing are changing. For instance, information is passed and suggestions of what is expected of either party are shared through various parties that include social media. This has made it easier for individuals especially those who have a negative stereotypic perception of who law enforcers are. Persons who have sensitive information and fear for their lives or would not want to associate deeper with police officers feel much safer to use discreet platforms like social media. These systems that promote community engagement facilitate the ability of legislative stakeholders to curb various criminal activities inclusive of violence and drug smuggling (Bureau of Justice Assistance, 1994) . 

Implementation of community policing requires consideration of a myriad of elements in order for it to be successful. For instance, education and allocation of clear knowledge of what community policing is to the involved parties are fundamental. With the knowledge of what community policy is and its importance ensures that both law enforcers and community members take up their roles seriously and efficiently. With this in place, it will be easier for law enforcers to rely on the community for vital information and have confidence in every member in the provision of security. On the other hand, officers will be in a position to freely collaborate with community members without being a menace to their freedom and confidence. As in the case of the police systems, it is crucial for the legislative departments to have structures able to handle any kind of emergencies without jeopardizing efficiency or putting the lives of various persons in danger. Such can be strengthened through the practice of foot patrol incorporated with good communication with fellow officers at the station. 

According to Jon Gaskins (2015), ethics in the police department is a significant requirement meant to ensure that officers work with integrity. Not only are they in a position to stay accountable to the civilians but they help in building the trust between the involved parties. On the other hand, they become a better example of society making it easier to incorporate community policing and working with the civilians. The issue of ethics in the police department should be a serious requirement to all officers due to the need of ensuring that standards are set and individuals informed. Another key tactic in community policing is the decentralization of police authority. Giving police officers to have the discretion of what happens in various departments and ranks is an important element that builds up both confidence and respect among personnel. On the other hand, the element of fully doing what is expected of them is enhanced considering that the outcome is reported and every department summoned. Officers of lower ranks are also in a position to contribute innovative ways possible to allocate solutions to different challenges being faced. The strategies and tactics of community policing vary from one community to the other especially due to the difference in various needs and responses. 

Community policing has become a centre stage in curtailing crime in locations where it is implemented. Furthermore, both the community and law enforcement department has gained so much through the practice of community policing. For instance, citizens are becoming more satisfied with the security measures applied in their locations together with the community policing strategies. As a result, the perception and practice of unethical conduct amongst individuals have minimized tremendously. In other instances, community policing has proved to be an efficient and collaborative practice in the taming and handling of crime. For instance, with the knowledge and familiarity of persons and everything in a given community, officers are in a position to foresee a crime before it happens and therefore interfere with the operations. On the other hand, a good rapport with police officers can make individuals involved in criminal activities to transform their ways before being arrested, charged, and imprisoned. 

For some reasons, police officers among law enforcers have been feared by many individuals and at all costs are avoided. Such perceptions and view of the police officers have hindered corporation with community members in some locations. On the contrary, ethical practice, politeness, and respect depicted by police officers is slowly changing the negative perception that community members have towards law enforcers (COPS, n.d). Moreover, good reports from other regions concerning their police officers have helped in the improvement of community policing globally. As a result, the practice is slowly being embraced by various communities especially those that lag behind. 

Conclusion 

Community policing has aided in making use of tolerable measures of dealing with crime and other vices in the society. It ensures that besides law enforcers, community members are involved which focuses more on solution allocation rather than punishment to offenders. In other instances, community policing has ensured that ex-convicts are embraced in their society and involved in different activities to ensure that they transform. Cases of violence towards civilians, on the other hand, has minimized considering that members of the community are aware and familiar of officers who are deployed in their location. Also, integrity and proper service delivery of officers to the community is enhanced. As for the civilians, collaboration and playing a significant role in being vigilant towards certain activities is increased which on the other hand helps in taming criminal activities. Community policing currently has taken a notch higher and technology is embraced. For instance, many police and legislative departments are developing their own websites where civilians are allowed to visit, report, suggest and contribute to various issues. Furthermore, social media has made it easier for involved parties to send, receive, and share vital information that will in the curbing and management of crime. As for orchestrators of criminal activities, it has become harder for them to easily get away considering the presence of police officers either on patrol, camera or having an ‘inside man’ in the community. 

Reference 

Bureau of Justice Assistance. (1994). Understanding Community Policing . Retrieved October 19, 2018, from NCJRS - C.S Department of Justice: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/commp.pdf 

COPS. (n.d.). Community Policing Defined . Retrieved October 19, 2018, from Paradise Valley: http://www.ci.paradise-valley.az.us/DocumentCenter/View/3004/PSTFArticle01---CP-Defined?bidId= 

Gaskins, J. (2015). Community Policing . Retrieved October 19, 2018, from everbridge: https://www.everbridge.com/community-policing/