YOU DECIDE

The law enforcement community plays an important role in our day-to-day lives. They are not only tasked with enforcing the laws, but they are also tasked with helping out the community in various ways. What happens when the traditional model of law enforcement is changed? Will there be any resistance from certain divisions of the police force? What will be the major factor for the success of a new program, if implemented? Under the traditional law enforcement model, officers are tasked with responsibilities such as patrolling the streets and reporting broken sidewalks, potholes, street, and traffic lights that need to be replaced. Under the new program called “Employing Creative Closure Strategies,” patrolling officers work with sergeants and lieutenants to review crime data and come up with the best solution to problems. In doing this, it allows officers to display their expertise in areas such as criminal investigation, traffic enforcement, drug suppression, and routine patrol. With any organization, change is going to come with resistance. Some of the major resistance would most likely come from senior members of the force. These members that have been around for awhile have probably seen many leaders want to “make their mark” by implementing their own ideas. These skeptics have probably accepted the idea that certain divisions are specialized in the area of expertise and that changing the way that they operate would disrupt the tempo of the force. However, most people agree that change is a good thing and can lead to improvement within the police force. The new changes would no doubt endure opposition on some levels, but there would also be many who would support them. The supporters would most likely be the officers that are directly affected by the changes. By allowing patrolling officers to work directly with investigators.