The Relationship Between The Community & Police
Aody Rafati
CRLS 3300
Marquette University
November 30, 2014
Introduction Police play an essential role in maintaining peace in society. Yet police officers face multiple job related challenges. Although police officers strive to maintain an ethical, just image, multiple factors may infringe on how the community perceives police officers. The relationship between police officers and the community is complicated. The United States Department of Justice (2010) further concurs in arguing that the community’s relationship with police officers is influenced by multiple variables. The role of the media, crime within the community, national accusations of police misconduct, the history of policing in the community and the actions taken by the police department to promote a positive image are all factors that can positively or adversely affect how the community perceives police officers (Baker & Hyde, 2011; Wooden & Rogers, 2014). Furthermore, the time, police departments take to establish and maintain positive community relations is another attribute that affects the relationship between police officers and the community (United States Department of Justice, 2010). The role of the community’s relationship with police officers will be explored in order to determine what factors positively influence or hinder the relationship between police officers and the community.
The Importance of Police/Community Relations The importance of police departments maintaining a positive relationship with the community has been well established (Jones & Supinksi, 2010). According to the United States Department of Justice (2010) a positive relationship between the police and the community they serve is an essential element in solving problems within the community. Wooden & Rogers (2014) further concur in arguing “community policing, ‘seeks to form partnerships
References: Baker D., Hyde M. (2011) Police have customers too. Police, Practices and Research 12 (2) 148-162. Building Trust Between the Police & The Citizens They Serve (2010) United States Department of Justice. Retrieved November 30, 2014 from: http://nccpsafety.org/assets/files/library/Building_Trust_Between_Police__Citize ns.pdf Chermak S., McGarrell E., Gruenewald J. (2006) Media coverage of police misconduct and attitudes toward police. Journal of Policing 29 (2) 261-282. Dowler K. (2002) Media Influence on Citizen Attitudes Toward Police Effectiveness. Policing & Society 12 (3) 227-239. Jones C., Supinski S.B. (2010) Policing and Community Relations in the Homeland Security era. Journal of Homeland Security & Emergency Management 7 (1) 1- 17. Weitzer R., Tuch S.A., Skogan W.G. (2008) Police-Community Relations in a Majority- Black City. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency 45 (1) 398-420. Wooden K., Roger C. (2014) Restoring Public Confidence: Perceptions of Community Police Officers. Police Journal: Theory, Practices and Principles 87 (3) 186-196.