Community Oriented Policing Policy Development Paper
Policy Development � PAGE * MERGEFORMAT �12�
Community Oriented Policing Policy Development
Dale A. Miller
CJA/463
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Johnny McLoud - Hoover
University of Phoenix
Introduction
A community based policing program needs three key elements: Community identification, Methods of helping the community, and Police involvement within the community. This can be hard to do because the changing face of society is forcing many police organizations to make many changes in the way they run, organize and structure their departments.
As public expectations of police change from crime fighters to public safety problem solvers, police administrators must modify their organizational structure in order to meet broader mission statements …show more content…
and carry out new tasks. This structural modification is not simply a matter of changes on organizational charts. This structural modification is a matter of policy revision. This paper will cover the development of a local policy in regards to community oriented policing.
This paper will include statistical, factual, and public opinion history information which supports the policy claim. This paper will identify all stakeholders involved in the making of this policy as well as their opinions as it relates to this proposed policy and how politics may impact its implementation. This paper will wrap up with policy recommendations and their impact on contemporary criminal justice issues and globalization.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING POLICY DEVELOPMENT
The philosophy of the majority of police departments over the last 100 years is to have a reactive approach to crime.
The reactive approach to fighting crime is for police to respond to a scene of a crime after the crime has been committed. This idea of policing is suitable for the amount of resources that police departments are given to fight crime. As the amount of crimes have increased over time, a new look into how local police departments fight crimes is necessary.
The Detroit police department is an organization that relies on tradition. Because of this, the Detroit police department will have to resort to non-traditional means in its organization in order to fit in with the 21st century. A team effort is required for elected officials and the police department in order for this change to become effective. "History has shown that the elected officials and the police department have not worked as a team" Fisette (2002) Pg. 2 Para 1. This history has brought up a question on if the city of Detroit and elected officials can cooperate with one another in order to bring a new look on community …show more content…
policing.
Statistically (1993), the Detroit police department 's community policing policy covers all aspects of community policing which includes "confidential funds, domestic disputes, employee counseling, homeless persons, juveniles, mentally ill persons, off duty employment, private security firms, pursuit driving, and strip searches" Bureau of Justice Statistics state of Michigan (1993). Theis are the written policies in today 's community oriented policing policies that the Detroit police department must maintain wile policing a community. The policy this author is developing does have revisions to the existing policies of community policing.
THE REVISED POLICY
Like current community policing policies, this policy will cover the three main elements of community policing: Community partnership, Organizational transformation, and problem solving. This policy will revise theis three elements to separate it from the existing policies we have today. Unlike the current policies, this policy will focus more on face to face community partnerships by gathering information from the public in the form of surveys to provide the police with accurate information on the disposition and traits of the police themselves and the public, including the reason for and outcome of the contact. This author believes that the survey will allow the community to gain trust within the police department that has currently been lost. "The 2005 Police-Public Contact Survey was conducted for the Bureau of Justice Statistics during the last 6 months of 2005 by the U.S. Census Bureau as a supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey" Bureau of Justice Statistics, Methodology (2005). The Detroit police department currently doesn 't use surveys in their community policing program.
The survey should consist of no less than 80,000 individuals with only 20% of those interviewees being excluded from the survey by being considered non-interviews or proxy interviews. The non-interviews or proxy interviews are only considered that because of the individual being a non-English speaking individual or an individual who has some sort of physical or mental illness. As like any survey, opinions vary, and the opinion of individuals surveyed can be expected to range between 50% positive and 50% negative. A possible solution for the increase in crime rates is to step away from the reactive approach and look into developing a more proactive strategy. This is where the survey comes into play.
By gaining public opinion on different areas of what they see in their communities in regards to the police, like use of force, foot pursuits, evasive driving pursuits, and arrest procedures, the idea of proactive policing will be that crime is fought before it evens happens. Community policing allows for this idea to work, because police departments work one-on-one with members of the community to understand the needs of the community, to build better relations with one another, and create new ways to improve their community in hopes to reduce crime overall. Currently, community policing consists of patrolling the neighborhood 1 to 2 times per shift unless their dispatched to go in for a disturbance. This policy requires the patrol of no less than 5 times per shift.
Agency management is another area this policy will differ on compared to existing policies. Having an officer establishing his or her own residence within the community would build comfort among the community knowing there is an officer of the law as a neighbor. New officers transfer to new department 's yearly and having an officer volunteer to move into the neighborhood they will be patrolling is an ethically sound decision. In Detroit specifically, programs have been implemented with the hopes of switching to a more community based style of policing. The problem is that these programs are underutilized and advertised.
Problem solving in community policing has been a problem in policies for some time now. In order to prevent problems in community policing, this policy will reiterate some changes from old policies and better them to best fit the needs of the community. In old policies, the community would have to either access the Detroit police website or go to the local station to get information about the department. Since officers are overworked there is little opportunity for the community to get involved. The idea behind this policy is for the police to assist neighborhoods in developing or using the already existing programs.
Before this policy came into play, politicians and civil leaders demanded a reexamination of police practices. This is because of the police forces inability to handle urban arrest in an effective manner. "Between 1968 and 1973, three Presidential Commissions made numerous recommendations for changes in policing-recommendations that were initially responded to by outside organizations" U.S. Department of Justice pg.17, Para 2 (1994). In this way, Detroit can fulfill government hopes in community policing.
Community policing and the impact it has on police organizations along with society is critical for many reasons. Decision makers and police organizations need to be able to asses strategy 's that impact law enforcement organizations while still addressing cost effectiveness within the organization. Police organization need to be able to assess the success or failures of policies and activities that interact with their organization. Depending on the size of the organization, methods and assessment measures within the organizations policies may vary. Monitoring the community will prevent criminal acts, gain support from community members, bring new life in problem solving, and open new opportunities for partnerships with the community.
Judges in regards to this policy will hold certain stakes like implementing rules and regulations for officers who use excessive force in the apprehension of suspects in the community environment. Judges will obtain full discretion of punishments of officers with the help of the internal affairs unit on matters pertaining to the endangerment of the public when excessive force is used or if individuals become venerable to possible injury due to foot or vehicle pursuits associated with police officers. Prosecutors will prosecute those officers who violate any regulation of the policy. Officers who have been accused of violating any regulation within the policy have the right to be defended by a defense attorney of their choice.
In past policies, correctional officers have not played a role in community policing. This policy will reiterate correctional officers within community policing programs. "Interest in community corrections and community policing cooperation began with the idea that collaboration might compliment the power of each office, thus increasing public protection" The CBS Interactive Business Network Para.3 (2010). This policy allows off duty correctional officers to monitor released prisoners who enter the community by tracking them with special bracelets.
Theis bracelets will allow any off duty correctional officer checking up on the released individual to track them with a hand held devise. This device can locate the individual outside the home when the individual is supposed to be in the home. Probation and parole officers are daily workers who deal with their assigned individuals during the day. This will allow the released individual to be checked up on during the night as well as during the day.
"Crime, including the fear of crime and disorder, is subject to the vagaries of statistical interpretation; and important qualitative considerations are susceptible to subjective opinion" Nicholl, C. (1999). The opinion of community policing within this policy depends on the location and the individual being asked. The political view on this policy is the same as it is with any policy from any state or city that carries a similar policy on policing a community. Politicians will always feel reluctance to admit that the state or city cannot maintain law and order by itself. Therefore, the political view on this policy is much the same in that the city of Detroit will need assistance from the government to maintain law and order in the community.
Judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, correctional officers and administrators, law enforcement officers and administrators, and victims all enjoy every aspect of this policy and know that it is a big step in community policing. Each organization feels that change was necessary in policy to overcome boundaries that have seen time and time again during the past few years. According to theis organizations, theis changes in policy will impact the outcome of individual perception on the way communities are policed and different situations associated with the way each organization deals with suspects within the community.
Law abiding citizens (with would be the majority of the community), also known as "the general public", do not have the know-how on self policing. Their opinion of this policy is not so much negative due to policy points on contributing to crime control in their communities. The public knows that with dysfunctional families, street gangs, crime syndicates, and neighborhoods where criminal activity is rife, civic engagement and volunteerism may not be enough to overcome other realities. However, the public knows that as long as they do their part in helping with local law enforcement in deterring crime in their communities, their neighborhoods will be a safer place to live then before.
Politics may impact the implication of this policy because of the recent economy. Funding can be an issue due to the economy. Lack of funding can cause officers to drive shorter routes and spend less time patrolling the community causing for less eyes on the neighborhood allowing for more crime to take place. In a case like this, the public has to step up on their neighborhood watch programs and take control of their neighborhood to reduce crime that may or may have taken place.
Recommendations for this policy start with police officers walking the neighborhood rather than driving around the neighborhood and end with community members upgrading their neighborhood to deter crime in it. Officers would go out to neighborhoods with high crime rates and walk the neighborhood with community members; in doing so they could foster a greater sense of involvement with the neighborhood and also develop information sources and contacts. Out of sight, out of mind is something each community should focus on when preventing crime in their neighborhood. For instance, an abandoned or non-maintained house will attract disorder or mischief and the criminal element. Eliminating this house will keep potential criminals away and out of the neighborhood.
Locking their vehicles in their garages and taking in items from the yard and placing them indoors will deter potential thieves from trying to take them.
Obtaining an alarm system and having stickers and signs posted around the perimeter of the premises will tell potential criminals that the house is secure and there is no need to enter the residence. Finally, the home owner 's animal lovers should use that to their advantage. A dog is man 's best friend and can be a useful tool in telling an individual community member when trouble is around. Those who don 't wish to own a dog need to be told by law enforcement personal to train themselves in keeping better attention to their surrounding at all times during the day and
night.
Conclusion
Community policing is a system that requires change in both the police perspective and community perspective. The change in question could take many years to fully accomplish and society in the community could be delayed in seeing the impact the change can bring. However, communities can expect a reduction in crime in short time but, the implementation of organizational community policing is what will take some time. While police departments make changes in the way they recruit, train, and choose their officers, departure of personal will allow new hires to be oriented and committed to community policing. Other organizations or agencies must adjust the way they operate in order to successfully perform community policing duties. It is extremely important that department heads use the time allotted from the shift to community policing to build new spirits along with trust inside and outside the department.
References
Bureau of Justice Statistics (1993). Michigan. Detroit. Written Policy Directive. Retrieved
August 29, 2010, from http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/tab21.pdf
Bureau of Justice Statistics (1993). Police Public Contact Survey. Methodology. Para. 1
Retrieved August 29, 2010, from http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=dcdetail&iid=251
Fisette, J. (2002). Community Policing, Can the Detroit Police Department Make the Change?
Problem Statement. Pg. 2 Para. 1 Retrieved August 29, 2010, from
http://www.emich.edu/cerns/downloads/papers/PoliceStaff/Community%20Policing/Community%20Policing--Can%20the%20Detroit%20Police%20Department%20Make%20the%20Change.pdf
The CBS Interactive Business Network (2010). Government Industry. Community Corrections
And Community Policing: A Perfect Match. Para. 3. Retrieved August 29, 2010, from
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2194/is_11_72/ai_111496587/
Nicholl, C. (1999). Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Community Policing,
Community Justice, And Restorative Justice. Pg. 4 Para. 4 Retrieved August 29, 2010
From http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/ric/Publications/e09990014_web.pdf
Community Oriented Policing Policy Development
Dale A. Miller
CJA/463
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Johnny McLoud - Hoover
University of Phoenix
Introduction
A community based policing program needs three key elements: Community identification, Methods of helping the community, and Police involvement within the community. This can be hard to do because the changing face of society is forcing many police organizations to make many changes in the way they run, organize and structure their departments.
As public expectations of police change from crime fighters to public safety problem solvers, police administrators must modify their organizational structure in order to meet broader mission statements …show more content…
and carry out new tasks. This structural modification is not simply a matter of changes on organizational charts. This structural modification is a matter of policy revision. This paper will cover the development of a local policy in regards to community oriented policing.
This paper will include statistical, factual, and public opinion history information which supports the policy claim. This paper will identify all stakeholders involved in the making of this policy as well as their opinions as it relates to this proposed policy and how politics may impact its implementation. This paper will wrap up with policy recommendations and their impact on contemporary criminal justice issues and globalization.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING POLICY DEVELOPMENT
The philosophy of the majority of police departments over the last 100 years is to have a reactive approach to crime.
The reactive approach to fighting crime is for police to respond to a scene of a crime after the crime has been committed. This idea of policing is suitable for the amount of resources that police departments are given to fight crime. As the amount of crimes have increased over time, a new look into how local police departments fight crimes is necessary.
The Detroit police department is an organization that relies on tradition. Because of this, the Detroit police department will have to resort to non-traditional means in its organization in order to fit in with the 21st century. A team effort is required for elected officials and the police department in order for this change to become effective. "History has shown that the elected officials and the police department have not worked as a team" Fisette (2002) Pg. 2 Para 1. This history has brought up a question on if the city of Detroit and elected officials can cooperate with one another in order to bring a new look on community …show more content…
policing.
Statistically (1993), the Detroit police department 's community policing policy covers all aspects of community policing which includes "confidential funds, domestic disputes, employee counseling, homeless persons, juveniles, mentally ill persons, off duty employment, private security firms, pursuit driving, and strip searches" Bureau of Justice Statistics state of Michigan (1993). Theis are the written policies in today 's community oriented policing policies that the Detroit police department must maintain wile policing a community. The policy this author is developing does have revisions to the existing policies of community policing.
THE REVISED POLICY
Like current community policing policies, this policy will cover the three main elements of community policing: Community partnership, Organizational transformation, and problem solving. This policy will revise theis three elements to separate it from the existing policies we have today. Unlike the current policies, this policy will focus more on face to face community partnerships by gathering information from the public in the form of surveys to provide the police with accurate information on the disposition and traits of the police themselves and the public, including the reason for and outcome of the contact. This author believes that the survey will allow the community to gain trust within the police department that has currently been lost. "The 2005 Police-Public Contact Survey was conducted for the Bureau of Justice Statistics during the last 6 months of 2005 by the U.S. Census Bureau as a supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey" Bureau of Justice Statistics, Methodology (2005). The Detroit police department currently doesn 't use surveys in their community policing program.
The survey should consist of no less than 80,000 individuals with only 20% of those interviewees being excluded from the survey by being considered non-interviews or proxy interviews. The non-interviews or proxy interviews are only considered that because of the individual being a non-English speaking individual or an individual who has some sort of physical or mental illness. As like any survey, opinions vary, and the opinion of individuals surveyed can be expected to range between 50% positive and 50% negative. A possible solution for the increase in crime rates is to step away from the reactive approach and look into developing a more proactive strategy. This is where the survey comes into play.
By gaining public opinion on different areas of what they see in their communities in regards to the police, like use of force, foot pursuits, evasive driving pursuits, and arrest procedures, the idea of proactive policing will be that crime is fought before it evens happens. Community policing allows for this idea to work, because police departments work one-on-one with members of the community to understand the needs of the community, to build better relations with one another, and create new ways to improve their community in hopes to reduce crime overall. Currently, community policing consists of patrolling the neighborhood 1 to 2 times per shift unless their dispatched to go in for a disturbance. This policy requires the patrol of no less than 5 times per shift.
Agency management is another area this policy will differ on compared to existing policies. Having an officer establishing his or her own residence within the community would build comfort among the community knowing there is an officer of the law as a neighbor. New officers transfer to new department 's yearly and having an officer volunteer to move into the neighborhood they will be patrolling is an ethically sound decision. In Detroit specifically, programs have been implemented with the hopes of switching to a more community based style of policing. The problem is that these programs are underutilized and advertised.
Problem solving in community policing has been a problem in policies for some time now. In order to prevent problems in community policing, this policy will reiterate some changes from old policies and better them to best fit the needs of the community. In old policies, the community would have to either access the Detroit police website or go to the local station to get information about the department. Since officers are overworked there is little opportunity for the community to get involved. The idea behind this policy is for the police to assist neighborhoods in developing or using the already existing programs.
Before this policy came into play, politicians and civil leaders demanded a reexamination of police practices. This is because of the police forces inability to handle urban arrest in an effective manner. "Between 1968 and 1973, three Presidential Commissions made numerous recommendations for changes in policing-recommendations that were initially responded to by outside organizations" U.S. Department of Justice pg.17, Para 2 (1994). In this way, Detroit can fulfill government hopes in community policing.
Community policing and the impact it has on police organizations along with society is critical for many reasons. Decision makers and police organizations need to be able to asses strategy 's that impact law enforcement organizations while still addressing cost effectiveness within the organization. Police organization need to be able to assess the success or failures of policies and activities that interact with their organization. Depending on the size of the organization, methods and assessment measures within the organizations policies may vary. Monitoring the community will prevent criminal acts, gain support from community members, bring new life in problem solving, and open new opportunities for partnerships with the community.
Judges in regards to this policy will hold certain stakes like implementing rules and regulations for officers who use excessive force in the apprehension of suspects in the community environment. Judges will obtain full discretion of punishments of officers with the help of the internal affairs unit on matters pertaining to the endangerment of the public when excessive force is used or if individuals become venerable to possible injury due to foot or vehicle pursuits associated with police officers. Prosecutors will prosecute those officers who violate any regulation of the policy. Officers who have been accused of violating any regulation within the policy have the right to be defended by a defense attorney of their choice.
In past policies, correctional officers have not played a role in community policing. This policy will reiterate correctional officers within community policing programs. "Interest in community corrections and community policing cooperation began with the idea that collaboration might compliment the power of each office, thus increasing public protection" The CBS Interactive Business Network Para.3 (2010). This policy allows off duty correctional officers to monitor released prisoners who enter the community by tracking them with special bracelets.
Theis bracelets will allow any off duty correctional officer checking up on the released individual to track them with a hand held devise. This device can locate the individual outside the home when the individual is supposed to be in the home. Probation and parole officers are daily workers who deal with their assigned individuals during the day. This will allow the released individual to be checked up on during the night as well as during the day.
"Crime, including the fear of crime and disorder, is subject to the vagaries of statistical interpretation; and important qualitative considerations are susceptible to subjective opinion" Nicholl, C. (1999). The opinion of community policing within this policy depends on the location and the individual being asked. The political view on this policy is the same as it is with any policy from any state or city that carries a similar policy on policing a community. Politicians will always feel reluctance to admit that the state or city cannot maintain law and order by itself. Therefore, the political view on this policy is much the same in that the city of Detroit will need assistance from the government to maintain law and order in the community.
Judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, correctional officers and administrators, law enforcement officers and administrators, and victims all enjoy every aspect of this policy and know that it is a big step in community policing. Each organization feels that change was necessary in policy to overcome boundaries that have seen time and time again during the past few years. According to theis organizations, theis changes in policy will impact the outcome of individual perception on the way communities are policed and different situations associated with the way each organization deals with suspects within the community.
Law abiding citizens (with would be the majority of the community), also known as "the general public", do not have the know-how on self policing. Their opinion of this policy is not so much negative due to policy points on contributing to crime control in their communities. The public knows that with dysfunctional families, street gangs, crime syndicates, and neighborhoods where criminal activity is rife, civic engagement and volunteerism may not be enough to overcome other realities. However, the public knows that as long as they do their part in helping with local law enforcement in deterring crime in their communities, their neighborhoods will be a safer place to live then before.
Politics may impact the implication of this policy because of the recent economy. Funding can be an issue due to the economy. Lack of funding can cause officers to drive shorter routes and spend less time patrolling the community causing for less eyes on the neighborhood allowing for more crime to take place. In a case like this, the public has to step up on their neighborhood watch programs and take control of their neighborhood to reduce crime that may or may have taken place.
Recommendations for this policy start with police officers walking the neighborhood rather than driving around the neighborhood and end with community members upgrading their neighborhood to deter crime in it. Officers would go out to neighborhoods with high crime rates and walk the neighborhood with community members; in doing so they could foster a greater sense of involvement with the neighborhood and also develop information sources and contacts. Out of sight, out of mind is something each community should focus on when preventing crime in their neighborhood. For instance, an abandoned or non-maintained house will attract disorder or mischief and the criminal element. Eliminating this house will keep potential criminals away and out of the neighborhood.
Locking their vehicles in their garages and taking in items from the yard and placing them indoors will deter potential thieves from trying to take them.
Obtaining an alarm system and having stickers and signs posted around the perimeter of the premises will tell potential criminals that the house is secure and there is no need to enter the residence. Finally, the home owner 's animal lovers should use that to their advantage. A dog is man 's best friend and can be a useful tool in telling an individual community member when trouble is around. Those who don 't wish to own a dog need to be told by law enforcement personal to train themselves in keeping better attention to their surrounding at all times during the day and
night.
Conclusion
Community policing is a system that requires change in both the police perspective and community perspective. The change in question could take many years to fully accomplish and society in the community could be delayed in seeing the impact the change can bring. However, communities can expect a reduction in crime in short time but, the implementation of organizational community policing is what will take some time. While police departments make changes in the way they recruit, train, and choose their officers, departure of personal will allow new hires to be oriented and committed to community policing. Other organizations or agencies must adjust the way they operate in order to successfully perform community policing duties. It is extremely important that department heads use the time allotted from the shift to community policing to build new spirits along with trust inside and outside the department.
References
Bureau of Justice Statistics (1993). Michigan. Detroit. Written Policy Directive. Retrieved
August 29, 2010, from http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/tab21.pdf
Bureau of Justice Statistics (1993). Police Public Contact Survey. Methodology. Para. 1
Retrieved August 29, 2010, from http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=dcdetail&iid=251
Fisette, J. (2002). Community Policing, Can the Detroit Police Department Make the Change?
Problem Statement. Pg. 2 Para. 1 Retrieved August 29, 2010, from
http://www.emich.edu/cerns/downloads/papers/PoliceStaff/Community%20Policing/Community%20Policing--Can%20the%20Detroit%20Police%20Department%20Make%20the%20Change.pdf
The CBS Interactive Business Network (2010). Government Industry. Community Corrections
And Community Policing: A Perfect Match. Para. 3. Retrieved August 29, 2010, from
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2194/is_11_72/ai_111496587/
Nicholl, C. (1999). Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Community Policing,
Community Justice, And Restorative Justice. Pg. 4 Para. 4 Retrieved August 29, 2010
From http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/ric/Publications/e09990014_web.pdf