Community Oriented Policing
Community Oriented Policing
In spite of the fact that the United States still exceeds many other industrialized nations in overall crime and violent crime, it has been effective in decreasing its crime rate, particularly during the 1990s. While some coalitions have attributed this positive development to changes in socio-demographic trends and rigid enforcement approaches, one coalition highlights the success of the community-oriented policing and problem-oriented policing in eradicating the root causes of crime (Stephens, 2003). While I don’t believe that community oriented policing in the sole cause of decreased crime rates I do believe that it has its positive and negative sides.
Community oriented policing is based on the complete cooperation between the community and the police from the top managers in the department to the lowest officer in the department as well as all members of the community. Through the establishment of this partnership, the police and the community exchange information with another and work together in formulating and implementing solutions to resolve recurrent problems (Aberdeen, n. d.). A related approach to community oriented policing, problem oriented policing involves the use of S.A.R.A. (scanning, analysis, response, assessment) to resolve problems in a methodical process. The objective of problem oriented policing is to utilize a systematic process to identify recurrent problems and analyze their underlying causes in order to formulate cost-effective solutions ("Problem Solving - SARA," 2003). This is one approach that I do believe is an effective style of policing as it allows the officers to use scientific method approach to address current crime trends and deter them as needed.
For the remainder of the paper, the approaches of community oriented policing, problem oriented policing and S.A.R.A. and their interrelationships will be described and discussed in greater detail. The assessment of the effectiveness of these
In spite of the fact that the United States still exceeds many other industrialized nations in overall crime and violent crime, it has been effective in decreasing its crime rate, particularly during the 1990s. While some coalitions have attributed this positive development to changes in socio-demographic trends and rigid enforcement approaches, one coalition highlights the success of the community-oriented policing and problem-oriented policing in eradicating the root causes of crime (Stephens, 2003). While I don’t believe that community oriented policing in the sole cause of decreased crime rates I do believe that it has its positive and negative sides.
Community oriented policing is based on the complete cooperation between the community and the police from the top managers in the department to the lowest officer in the department as well as all members of the community. Through the establishment of this partnership, the police and the community exchange information with another and work together in formulating and implementing solutions to resolve recurrent problems (Aberdeen, n. d.). A related approach to community oriented policing, problem oriented policing involves the use of S.A.R.A. (scanning, analysis, response, assessment) to resolve problems in a methodical process. The objective of problem oriented policing is to utilize a systematic process to identify recurrent problems and analyze their underlying causes in order to formulate cost-effective solutions ("Problem Solving - SARA," 2003). This is one approach that I do believe is an effective style of policing as it allows the officers to use scientific method approach to address current crime trends and deter them as needed.
For the remainder of the paper, the approaches of community oriented policing, problem oriented policing and S.A.R.A. and their interrelationships will be described and discussed in greater detail. The assessment of the effectiveness of these
References: Aberdeen, Maryland. (n. d.). Aberdeen community policing plan. Retrieved May 20, 2005, from http://aberdeen-md.org/policing.htm Intelligence analysis of gang crime. (2005, March 22). Retrieved May 29, 2005, from http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/427/427lect18.htm Peak, K. J., & Glensor, R. W. (2004). Community policing and problem solving: Strategies and practices (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall Publishers. Problem solving - SARA. (2003, August 27). Retrieved May 20, 2005, from http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/skills04.htm Stephens, G. (1994). The global crime wave. The Futurist, 28(4), 22-28. Stephens, G. (2003). Global trend in crime: Crime varies greatly around the world, statistics show, but new tactics have proved effective in the United States. To keep crime in check in the twenty-first century, we 'll all need to get smarter, not just tougher. The Futurist, 37(3), 40-46. Webb, V., & Katz, C. (2003). Policing gangs in an era of community policing. In S. Decker (Ed.), Policing gangs and youth violence (pp. 17-49). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.