Community Policing Essay Example

and existence. The most concerns in Peel’s principles were outlined as carrying out preventive roles of policing and positive relationships and communication amongst the police and the citizens of the communities. However, policing in the United States arised, structured and improved along with many changes that stemmed away from the community policing ideology. Credited with some of these amendments is August Vollmer who instituted many practices that led to the professionalism of policing in 1932.

Policing was practiced as a stricter paramilitary model of policing that concentrated on the classical principles of organization for example, hierarchy and strict lines of authority/chain of command. (Dempsey, 2008) Although, some police departments have engaged in adopting the concept of community policing in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s team policing programs; in addition to departments created police community relations units. Unfortunately, these programs failed due to they were not properly integrated into the police operations.

Additionally, in the midst of technology advancements of patrol cars and telephones; policing became distant with communities which eventually this led policing to adopt COP programs. (Morabito, 2010) In the 1990s, under the Clinton Administration community policing was a primary law enforcement priority by the Federal government. In 1994, the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) was established to advance community policing in the United States under the Crime Control Act.

This initiative allowed the law enforcement to hire 100k community police officers by giving several grants to law enforcement agencies to implement such programs. Practices of involving communities in shared responsibilities for public safety have failed in the past due to many events occurring in society. For example, police

brutality, discrimination, an increase in crime, police corruption, increase in technology (patrol cars, telephones) and most recently 911terrorist attack. Citizens have adapted the attitude of mistrust towards the police and police have adapted the attitude that citizens have no rightful involvement in police affairs. Lee, 2010) Crime rates were at a rise and overtime the realization that the traditional or professional model of policing was no longer effective in courses of the many shifting eras. Therefore, the restoration of community policing is back on the policing agenda in the 21st century.

Elements in adopting the COP program are to utilize problem solving methods by way of working with communities and making changes to policing organizational structure. By doing this, it promotes and facilitates community involvement in regards to public safety. Morabito, 2010) Community policing is a philosophy that promotes and enhances organizational strategies which involves the systematically usage of partnerships and problem solving techniques in proactive approaches that address immediate or prolonging conditions within communities. Given the rise in public safety, issues such as crime, social disorder and fear of crime are the focus. Partnerships are formed between police departments and other service providers in working together towards identifying, analyzing, and problem solving which are often times used as collective resources.

With this being effective in communities it is viewed in the public view as acceptable. (Lee, 2010) This brings to mind the two interviews I conducted with William Parrish, Chief of Police of Stroud Areas Regional Police Department; a very nice and cooperative gentleman. I asked Chief Parrish a series of questions in regards to his views on community policing, participation and/or

involvement in the community, strengths, weaknesses and challenges of community policing, crime prevention methods performed, and his style of leadership etc. A small synopsis of Stroud Area and its police department.

The forming of the department went underway in May 1, 2000 which brought together experienced officers from three smaller forces. Currently, the department has a $7. 2 million operating budget, 50 full-time officers serving a total population of 34,620 in one of the fastest growing areas of the Commonwealth. Stroud Area Regional Police Department (SARPD) is the largest regional department in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. www. sardp. com The coverage area comprises the 39 square mile area including the boroughs of Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg and the Township of Stroud.

In this region, the service area includes county and federal offices, schools, an ever-expanding hospital, East Stroudsburg University with students living off-campus; easy access to the area from busy Interstate 80 and more. In this midst of forming the regional department, administration and patrol services worked in Stroud Township while the detective division worked in East Stroudsburg. The permanent address is 100 Day Street in East Stroudsburg which is now the new home to the entire operation. www. sardp. com Over the past years the demographics of this area has changed drastically.

Many residents have relocated to this area from New Jersey and New York due to having retired from city employment, commuting to employment in the city and in most cases to provide better lives for their families. Individuals from city environments are often viewed as uneducated; the children are unruly, have, will or are engage in criminal activity and have

no mannerism. However, there are many born and raised residents that reside in this area that are not accustomed to living amongst a variety of groups of people.

To answer what is the crime rate for the Stroud area and how big is the jurisdiction covered under the Stroud Area Regional Police. The population is 5756 with a breakdown of 53. 53% females and 46. 47% males ranging from ages under 5 years old to 85 years and older. There are 86. 61% Whites, 6. 45% Blacks, 6. 95% Hispanics, 0. 21% American Indian/Alaska Natives, 0. 21% Asians, 0. 8% Asian Indians, 0. 38% Chinese, some other races 2. 26% and two or more races 2. 59%. There are 34. 85% married couples, 15. 11% with children under 18, 13. 5% female householders with no male present and with children 8. 34%. There are 40. 79% homeowners and 59. 21% renters. www. stroudsburg. areaconnect. com/statistics. htm The structure of the Stroudsburg area local police department is staffed as follows: 9 department heads, 8 detectives and 58 police officers. The officers are not only performing general police duties they are trained and work in specialized areas as well. Specialty areas are DARE, School Resource Officer, Patrol, Traffic, Motorcycle, Bicycle, K-9, Drugs, SERT, and Crisis Negotiation Team just to name a few.

There are programs implemented in the police department that are performed within the community for citizens. There is D. A. R. E for kids and talk to your kids about drugs, smoking, alcohol, and show a video on gangs. Police officers are assigned within the school system as well. www. sarpd. com Chief

Parrish stated that the separation of traditional policing was contributed from motor vehicles (out of patrol device) which led to no rapport with communities. The movement of police officers in patrol cars damaged the communication pattern with citizens.

Further emphasizing, that 10 to 20 years later the community reintegrated with residents flooding from the New Jersey and New York areas. (Parrish, 2012) 1. How active or involved are you in partaking with interactions with the citizens in communities? He is active in the community by attending organizational meetings with CYS, YMCA, etc to show face because citizens only see police during troubled times. 2. What type of crime prevention methods are practiced in this area and how effective are they in reducing crime?

There are SRO programs which officers are posted within the schools as resources are very major in this area. Crime watch neighborhood participation is conducted mostly in the East Stroudsburg area due to high crime rates of vandalism, burglaries and robberies. Community watch groups are in place however; the group members organize this. Citizens are invited at the training sessions for officers so that associated people and citizens can hear what officers are being taught in policing. There are programs that have been established and are effective in the East Stroudsburg area longer.

Home development liaisons, Blue Mountain Lake Estates and community development are named as a few sponsors in which are assisted by the police department. Officers are assigned to organizations to attend meetings, coordinate, addresses law enforcement issues all around community relations, attend crime watch meetings which supply information and bike patrols are effective in seeking crimes

motorized. Throughout East Stroudsburg there are meetings that are held with involved parties on the last Wednesday of each month. Staff provides training for citizenry and supply citizens with criminal trends in the area.

Topics such as vandalism, gang activity, educate on drug dealing and how to make the home safer. In regard to ethics and lower income areas there is an agreement with city authorities which oversees issues – police provide extra police patrol assistance. Housing Authority pays money for government assistance in recent handling of drug offenses in these areas although the crime rate is lower in this area for these particular crimes. There are numerous civic organizations that are involved as well as downtown area businesses and housing which all have organized programs to cooperate with police departments.

What challenges does the department face in implementing community policing in the Stroud area? How would you address these issues? Challenges come where detectives are less immediate important in community policing. They concentrate more on internet crimes that involves banking whether forge or bounced check and counterfeit activities. Another challenge is cutting programs to save funding and keeping some of the resources in community policing in hard times – statistically on account for preventive crime due to budgets are streamline with police taxes. Implementing COP challenges the fiscal budget with reduction of staff.

These are addressed by continuing to educate and the overseeing of a nine member commission. What are the strengths and weaknesses of community policing? The strengths consist of bonding with communities and increasing the ability to communicate very instrumental. Police cannot stand alone in performing duties in combating

crime prevention. Training together – transparency of police departments – community can have faith and visual of police functions and duties. The weaknesses consist of financial hardships that are usually cut first – statistically validate the program.

Community policing is effective during various times when attention is needed to be paid more to popular areas. Can you describe your managerial style of leadership? He is a cross between autocratic and democratic. Democratic is most effective and Laissez-Faire is least effective in his view. Chief Parrish is not autocratic because he does buy into the workforce and to add it is not successful. He allows employees to make suggestions, allows leadership to listen or changes employees – feel empowered to buy into the success of the program. He has a Para-military style however it is not as strong due to not ver being in military. He informs with reason of what, when, why and how because officers need to understand the reason behind it. How are employees motivated? There are monthly supervisory meetings – during the meeting any issues in their performance and/or any new information is given. The practice of listening to supervisors issues as well; the Chief stated his expectations cannot be achieved if not met. No expectations just told to do it; expectations of performing job duties at times there is no time to explain reason. He hold stricter adherence for Sergeants to be accountable for their actions.

When asked how employees know if supervisors are held accountable for their actions he stated: punish to correct actions and deterrence to other officers. Sergeants are held accountable for supervising proactively and reliance

of first line of discipline. Written reprimands are brought to the Chiefs attention; he is aware of occurrences through communication on lower ranking levels. Will take corrective measures maybe officers specific or create a change in policy/procedure department wide. Citizens report officers for recommendations. There is an incentive instituting officers of the month.

 Sergeants are required to submit one person from each unit – Reward system is undecided; a token of something to recognize officers possibly tangible. Twelve officers in total (one from every month) one is chosen annually where the media is called and outside funding is given. Also, instituting safer driving methods – officers receive one day off. There was an annual banquet given in officers’ honor however; funding, animosity from the union and statements made ceased this event. December 31, 2011 the contract ended and arbitration is in process – no new contract as of yet.

Was there ever a time you faced ethical dilemmas? Why and when? How did you handle the situation? He has had an ethical dilemma in situations of trusting the community and in order to get that one must be above approach – citizens feel conspiracy is involved. “Being ethical when no one knows the difference” – making right decisions all the time. For example, business establishment owners feel obliged to police who visits their establishment. How do you handle persistent and hostile media pressure? Right to know laws – public record media Is there a Homeland Security strategy plan in place for emergencies?

How is it incorporated into daily operations? The Homeland Security plan consists of involvement from the Regional Counter Terrorism: North

East PA Task Force and 8 counties Task Force. Pull resources, receives money for making department diverse – Candidate poll is not diverse in this area however; East Stroudsburg University offers criminal justice majors therefore; police departments recruit there, African American ministries and proactively conduct searches for candidates. Infrastructure, property and radios talk to various agencies. Few years training for Homeland security.

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) set up command post to coordinate for responses. Included in the plans are 911 centers, emergency services and fire departments are all notified, Terrorist incident plans – get the right resources that will last, Rotate staff and table top sessions with leaders and administrators of services to practice scenarios. Intelligence resources work together for overall planning. Stretch minds and move resources; plan to spread out fleeing city residents, organize plan through PA to spread things out. Daily operations – NIMS preparing police departments for major events.

Active shooting trainings consisting of three to four team members to locate trouble and organize better to go into alleviating problems. 10. What challenges to incorporate this into daily operations? Homeland Security plans is not used on daily basis; challenges are further down the line and possibly being away from the major event – there is empathy but also a waste of resources. Financially needs on hands for a mirror of events – prepared for everything chemical and biological with chemical mask and chemical suits. Finances are balanced for the multitude of events occurring. 11.

As Chief of Police, what makes you different from others in handling responsibilities? He stated he was only in his position for three

weeks and the difference is – the obligation to ensure that 50 officers are performing their job duties properly and making certain the supplies needed are available. This concludes my interview with William Parrish, Chief of Stroud Area Regional Police. Programs such as Community Policing and Police Citizens are becoming the new ways of gaining closer relations with the citizens in communities. These programs are designed for citizens to volunteer in ssisting the police rid any misconducts or criminal activities that is visible to the public eye in their neighborhoods. Partnering with the police in this way can secure information given and bring about any reasonable suspicions and probable causes that can lead to producing an arrest. These programs are voluntary to citizens and are publicized through media and in some cases police officers may have a brochure to pass. (Duff, 2006) However, it has been stated and researched that in the aftermath of 911; with usage of newer technology for Homeland Security methods that law enforcement will become increasingly blurred.

The primary focus of the future will be held on tactical methods, technology and alternative service providers such as security personnel replacing community policing. Which entails the coming of the 4th era of policing – Homeland Security policing. Categories this falls under is crime control and intelligence congregations. Although this is favored by the Federal government; it suggests that this approach will serve to alienate and provoke communities by way of accusations of ethnic profiling. If this occurs, citizens will become seen as less useful tools or resources that can be used at their discretion.

Citizens will be viewed as eyes and

ears for police eliminating the effects as an active partnership in securing their neighborhoods. (Lee, 2010) Conclusion In this paper, I have given a briefly description of the history in structuring policing that led up to integration of community policing, outlined the components of community policing and how it is incorporated in the daily functions of policing in the 21st century. Incorporated information from an interview led by me conducted with William Parrish, Chief of Police in Stroud Area Police Department.

Given a description of various communities policing initiatives practiced during the era of homeland security methods. Police and citizens have built walls between them where communities have fallen between the cracks. The images of embedded hatred will hopefully diminish as police and Citizens bridge the gap of communication. These additional measures towards the 21st century will bring the safety to neighborhoods that were once lost; resulting in the citizen’s satisfaction and inner knowledge of how police departments and officers carry out law enforcement.