the similarities and differences the approaches to policing exhibit
A police officer is a constituted individual empowered by the state to enforce law and order in society. The police ensure the safety of every individual and prevent or solve a crime. They have been permitted by law to arrest criminal suspects and to use force during arrests. Policing is an act of supervising or enforcing the law. For instance, a routine patrol made by a security guard is an example of a policing strategy. There are three approaches to policing: strategic policing, community policing, and problem-oriented policing. This essay discusses the similarities and differences the approaches to policing exhibit, their requirements, strengths and weaknesses, and how they impact police-community relationships.
Strategic policing
This policing focuses on what the police need to achieve instead of how they should achieve it. It helps the police and their superiors to plan effectively on the challenges that are beyond their boundaries. Strategic policing is a policing method that identifies potential threats and their suitable responses. For example, the police are to identify potential criminal or terrorist attacks that may require cross-boundary policing. Then, they are required to formulate an emotional response to counter these threats. This method has successfully achieved a proper strategic plan to counter threats they have not witnessed.
Strategic policing needs special requirements for effective performance. For starters, they need resources from more than one police department. They may also need to incorporate other agencies and emergency services. These organizations or departments provide a consistent flow of resources. The resources will be effectively coordinated and mobilized for strategic planning activities. For example, to identify and counter threats from terrorists, strategic policing involves security service institutions and the Federal Bureau of Investigation units for effective policing methods. The personnel will need to be equipped with problem-solving techniques, strategic planning techniques, and critical thinking skills. This will enable them to draft strategic plans that will achieve the desired purpose. Also, the agencies involved must provide police with the right equipment for strategic planning.
Strategic policing has various strengths and weaknesses. For instance, strategic policing effectively identifies a threat, and it’s possible solutions. It provides a room for early preparation and countermeasures for possible attacks or crimes. Strategic policing also strengthen the effectiveness of the police to predict and prevent crime. However, strategic policing requires more resources and the involvement of security agencies. This makes it expensive to use this approach of policing regularly. Strategic policing improves the relationship between the police and the community. Strategic policing places effective measures that will protect the community against potential threats and attacks. Through this method, the community shows gratitude to the police, and they also feel safer. Strategic policing meets the needs of the community. For example, potentially criminal activity within the area is carefully analyzed, and measures against the attack are laid out. Some of these measures include CCTV cameras and automatic alarms or traps. This makes the community feel safer.
Community policing
Unlike strategic policing, community policing is an approach to policing that focuses on building ties and working closely with community members. This approach to policing ensures that the police become a part of the community. Through this method, the police identify the community needs, strengths, protection strategies, and fears. It also allows the community to develop a trust-bond with the police. For instance, validating or paying for parking tickets is an example of a community policing method that has been integrated with civic services. Validating or paying for parking tickets will enable the police to understand how the community works and how crime can be committed.
Community policing needs specific requirements for effective performance. For starters, a partnership between Civic groups and the police force is necessary. This will provide the community police information regarding normal activities done in the community, types of criminal activities, and community expectations. The personnel will need to be paid with strategic skills, problem-solving skills, communication skills, interactive, and social skills. The general knowledge in policing will not be useful in this approach. This is because the police are needed to mingle, live, and get along well with the community. The police will need to share the power of solving and preventing crime with the community. They must give the community the full control to manage and care for their community. This is critical in understanding the culture of the people.
Community policing is the most beneficial and disadvantageous. For starters, community policing gives the people full control over their community. Through this method, the community guides the police in identifying criminals. This makes work easier for the police, unlike the methods used in strategic policing. Also, it promotes trust between the people and the police. Therefore, the community respects and beliefs in the police. However, it requires a long-term commitment from the police and the community. It takes time to build trust, and it might not be useful if there are social issues between the police and community members. Also, the relationship must be maintained. Broken relationships will lead to ineffective policing.
Community policing has a significant impact on the police-community relationship. This is because the community policing approach requires police to be part of a community. It requires police to understand and learn the community culture and needs. Also, the police are required to maintain a good relationship between them and the community. However, useful community policing will lead to trust and love between the police and the community. The community will respect and help the police. Ineffective community policing will not create good police-community relations. Examples of significant community policing include the relationship between the Sangee police department and the community of California. The excellent relationship allows the community to share Christmas gifts with the police.
Problem-oriented policing
The significant difference between problem-oriented policing and community or strategic policing is that problem-oriented policing focuses on solving crimes after they have occurred. This approach to policing solves crimes that increase crime risk rates, especially in areas where crime is rampant. Problem-oriented policing ensures that crimes do not reappear. For example, a community that has reported many cases of murder can be solved through problem-oriented policing. This will ensure that the criminal has been caught and murder does not reoccur in the future. Problem-oriented policing requires highly trained personnel in problem-solving skills. They also need to have critical thinking skills and detective skills to solve these problems. Agencies are required to provide their personnel with proper equipment to solve cases. Also, the partnership with local police departments is necessary to understand the community.
Problem-oriented policing rarely impacts the community. This is because problem-oriented policing focuses on solving the problems, not bonding with a community. The primary objective is to ensure that the same crime is not repeated in the future. To create a good relationship with the community, problem-oriented policing will require its personnel to form partnerships with local police units. It might also need them to be part of the community. For example, to solve frequent murder cases in the community, the police must be involved with local police departments. Also, they must be part of a community to conduct investigations on how these murders were conducted. Members of the community and local police units will guide the police in identifying possible suspects.
To develop good police-community relationships, the police must develop trust between them and the community members. They must participate in community activities or cultural norms. For example, the police should participate in the exchanging of gifts or prayers. Also, they must respect the community members’ activities, and they must be ready to assist whenever they are needed. This will foster good police-community relationships.