The Evolution of Copps and Its Introduction to the World Essay Example

concept in modern policing, but rather a return to the roots of Sir Robert Peel’s ideology of modern policing. During the early 1990’s, community-oriented policing and problem solving became a fundamental philosophy embraced by western democratic rule of law societies.

The federal government recognized the rapid and widespread increase in crime, which was no longer limited to certain neighborhoods or communities, but affected the entire country. To address this issue, the government viewed COPPS as a viable solution that could produce immediate and lasting outcomes. Reflecting this perspective, substantial funding was allocated and in 1994, Congress enacted the Violent Crime Control ; Law Enforcement Act, establishing the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services within the Department of Justice (DOJ) (The Department of Justice).

The philosophy of community policing, introduced by Sir Robert Peel over 100 years ago, emphasizes proactive principles. Instead of relying on reactive traditions, the COPPS model involves the community in crime control solutions and encourages their active participation. Programs like the S.A.R.A. process and CompStat promote accountability within the police department.

The New York City Police Department introduced the CompStat platform, which combined the principles of the COPPS model with a focus on managing the police department and being accountable to the public at all levels. CompStat ensured the COPPS model's continuation and integration into the modern era of information technology (Peak, 2010, p. 75). The S. A. R. A. process (scanning, analysis, response, assessment) is a continuous application of the COPPS philosophy of policing.

It replaced the conventional reactive approach that police typically used to address the increasing crime issue. SARA is a process that highlights systematic analysis and collaboration

between the community and the police to address and resolve problems. POP, a part of the COPPS policing philosophy, has been implemented nationwide.

The POP strategy has proven to be invaluable, just like how the North Star guides sailors in dark nights. It has successfully controlled criminal "hot spots". Researchers Taylor, Koper, and Woods conducted a case study using empirically collected data, which confirms the effectiveness of the POP strategy in reducing crime and making a long-term impact. They compared the POP model to the traditional directed-saturation patrol method that police departments frequently employ in high crime areas, but with minimal success.

The POP model had a higher performance than the traditional method in reducing street crimes by 33%. It also had a positive side effect of reducing violent and property crimes even after the case study post phase. This strengthens the argument for a lasting solution to crime prevention and control (Taylor, Koper, & Woods, 2011). COPPS has been successful in western democratic societies to the extent that NATO has adopted its philosophy and currently uses it as its primary weapon to combat the insurgency in Afghanistan.

ISAF's initiative in introducing and sustaining democracy and rule of law to Afghanistan has effectively bridged a gap between the skeptical Muslim dominated society and the war on terrorism. This partnership has allowed ISAF to gain a foothold on the war and empower the Afghan people to take control of their future, country, and government.

They accomplished this by involving the community in finding the solution and motivating and backing them in their endeavors to secure their country and embrace a mentality of following the law (Florentino, 2010). Community-oriented policing and

problem solving isn't a new and recent police invention as many believed. In reality, it is a revival of the principles and philosophy that Sir Robert Peel introduced when he modernized the London Metropolitan Police Department, making the police accountable to the public for the first time. It brought a compassionate approach to preventing and controlling crime.

The COPPS model, which has been influenced by Sir Robert Peel's ideas and supported by technological and managerial innovations like CompStat and the S.A.R.A. model, has effectively stood the test of time and become an essential value in policing (Bromley & Cochran, 1992; Florentino, 2010; Kovacich, 1995; Patterson, 2011; Peak, 2010).

New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. SARA, The MODEL (police). (n. d. ). Retrieved August 14, 2011, Retrieved from http://what-when-how. com/police-science/sara-the-model-police/ Taylor, B. , Koper, C. S. , ; Woods, D. (2011). A randomized controlled trial of different policing strategies at hot spots and violent crime. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 7(2), 149. Retrieved August 6, 2011, doi: 2361221701). The Department of Justice. (n. d. ). COPs History (1994 - The Present). Retrieved August 14, 2011, Retrieved from http://www. cops. usdoj. gov/default. asp? Item=44