Community Policing Report

When looking at community policing’s three dimensions, I realize that in order for the community policing program to be utilized to its complete and full potential all three dimensions are required. The philosophical dimension’s three central ideas, citizen input, broad function and personalized service, lays the foundation of community oriented policing, while the strategic dimension’s three key elements, flexible operation, geographical focus, and prevention emphasis, translates the philosophical ideals into action. Finally, the tactical dimension utilizes its three key elements, positive interactions, partnerships and problem solving, to translate the philosophical dimension’s ideals, and the strategic dimension’s actions into concrete
The answer would be the philosophical dimension. Since nothing and no one lives in a vacuum, the ideas of the philosophical dimension lead to action, which would then enact policy change. I feel that the philosophical dimension has the greatest potential to either succeed, thus establishing the framework for change, or fail, relegating community oriented policing to the discard pile. The three central ideas to the philosophical dimension include citizen input, broad function, and personalized service. Over the course of my career in public service, a mantra has developed, customer service is the number one priority, and without the customer, the job ceases to exist. People want to feel that their concerns are heard and are addressed by their local law enforcement. In order for any public service program to succeed, the backing of the community is vital. The community, through direct voting and their elected leadership, influences the operating budget of a department. Additionally, the community could decide that the Department is not living up to their expectations and decide to contract out for law enforcement. Therefore, if an agency doesn’t have the backing of the community, they often find their hands tied, and their efforts thwarted when attempting to enact positive changes. In this day and age, police agencies do far more than just enforcing laws. They handle a multitude of tasks on a daily basis of which the public is largely unaware. The philosophical dimension allows these duties to be recognized and emphasized, thus improving the community’s viewpoint of the agency. The community-oriented policing encourages the officers to handle issues in the community with understanding, compassion, and helpfulness, as opposed to the heavy-handed tactics seen in the