Introduction
Community policing is the involvement of police and the community in the identification and solving of community problems. Modernity has diversified the nature of crime thus requiring the police to be more involved in dealing with the root issues underlying crime rather than reliance on effects. The need for community involvement thus cannot be undermined. This calls for mutual partnerships between the police and community based on trust with the aim of solving problems of crime, social and physical disorders, fear of crime and other neighborhood problems. Such partnerships have the effect of preventing and controlling crime thus improving the quality of life in the neighborhood. This paper shall focus on a recommendation of a community program while analyzing factors that determine its success.
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
The suitability and appropriateness of COPS in dealing with contemporary issues and modern crime trans-nationally is based on the proactive manner in which crime is dealt with. COPS is an integrated program that focuses on engaging the community, enforcing laws traditionally and preventing crimes and related issues mainly through partnering strategically with the community through their leaders and adopting effective ways of solving present and emerging problems (U.S. Department of Justice, 2010). The major components necessary for the effectiveness of community policing are: transformation of institutions in terms of personnel, management, information systems and structures; community partnerships aimed at developing solutions to problems and increasing trust in the relationships mainly among government agencies, non-profit service providers, media, community members/groups and private businesses; and problem solving through problem identification and evaluation of responses that are effective (U.S. Department of Justice, 2010).
The rates and nature of crime and other related issues have been high and more complicated. This has largely been due to problems of socio-political and economic settings such as unemployment, poverty, racial issues and increased cost of living among others which have led to crimes fostered by the development of technology. The crimes have ranged from gang crimes, violence, robberies and murder, knife crimes, rapes, burglary and other forms of violence (U.S. Department of Justice, 2010). The reduction of crime can be realized through a crime reduction community policing program.
Crime Reduction Program
The need for community policing
The dynamic nature of crime has made it a top issue in matters of security. The prevention and control of crime requires adequate resources. The main resources in crime matters is information which can mainly be obtained from the community affected. The community is usually aware of the whereabouts of the crimes committed, has ideas for controlling and preventing the same and is mainly concerned with its safety. This makes the involvement of community members in crime reduction programs effective. In addition, it is only rational enough to have them involved since their areas are the concern of law enforcing agencies failure to which would cause the law enforcers to make conclusions, measures and actions that are detrimental to the safety of the community (U.S. Department of Justice, 2010).
The responsibility of law enforcement is quite inclusive. This means that the police are not the only law and order guardians. The community has responsibilities of reporting crime, providing necessary information regarding crimes, adopting individual safety measures and calling the police in times of crime (Jersey Village Police, 2004).
Crime reduction program normally focuses on problem oriented ways of prevention. Such problem oriented policies have been known to be effective in crime prevention and hence their need cannot be overlooked (Braga, 2008).
The goals of community policing
Since the involvement of the community in crime reduction program is indispensable, the main aim is ensuring safe neighborhoods while improving the quality of lives for the residents (Braga, 2008). The matters that the community is faced with determine its goals hence the program would differ from one community to another though there is evidence of relation. According to Jersey Village Police (2004), the main goals of community policing in crime reduction are: the maintenance and increase of trust in the police, improving public awareness of crime and the police department, solving crimes, fostering a decreased fear of crime, listening to and addressing the concerns of the residents, channeling community resources to problem solving, impacting specific problems of crime and ultimately reductions in crime rates.
Factors to determine the effectiveness of the program
The level of effectiveness of the crime reduction program lies mainly with the components of community policing and the degree of approach. Programs that are problem oriented mainly with the community playing an active role in the program have been known to be effective (Braga, 2008). The community needs to be aware of the problem, relate to it and be encouraged to be part of the solution. Despite the fact that the community is usually aware of the issues affecting them, the police have to be committed in showing value and worth of their efforts to be involved in the program. People require to be assured of their security, confidentiality, if necessary, and freedom in their involvement in crime reduction programs. This is mainly because the perpetrators of crime may target the community members involved in crime reduction program. In addition, the program being problem oriented has to take into consideration the main focus on the problem and avoid shifting to other matters (Barga, 2008).
Community policing relies on partnerships among the various stakeholders with the main one being that between the police and the community. The efficiency of the partnership in fulfilling the mandate of the program is highly dependent on trust (Jersey Village Police, 2004). It is necessary that there is complete involvement of the partners mainly; the community, police, media, private businesses, non-profit organizations and various agencies of the government. The partnerships in this program are based on commitment and discipline. This means that the parties involved and especially the police have to show consistent commitment to the program. Commitment of the parties such as the community members is motivated by the zeal of the other stakeholders in the program (Jersey Village Police, 2004). Commitment cannot be complete without fairness and transparency in the way the problem is solved. The police have to demonstrate commitment in meting out punishment against perpetrators that is equivalent to the crime committed. The involvement of the community is increased when the problem is accorded the seriousness it deserves in terms of offering severe punishment to perpetrators of crime to serve as examples. Fairness is also necessary in terms of taking the required measures regardless of the class or influence of the perpetrators (Hartnett & Skogan, 1997).
The transformation of institutions is necessary to develop structure mechanisms that foster the success of the program. The structure of the agency and management has to be transformed to incorporate strategic planning, effective decision making processes, efficiency in organizational structure and evaluation, conducive culture and climate, effective labor relations and effective policies while upholding transparency and good leadership. There is need for de-specialization of the officers’ assignments geographically. Since crime reduction program encompasses many issues, the resources needed have to be available in adequate amounts with mechanisms established for support of the same. Professionalism and competence have to be upheld while recruiting, training and evaluating the personnel. It is also very necessary to adopt effective up-to-date technology so as to improve the quality and accuracy of data as well as efficiency in communication and data access. The personnel recruitment, training and evaluation process has to be free, fair and transparent. This is necessary so as to increase the confidence of the public and other stakeholders regarding the competence of the police (U.S. Department of Justice, 2010).
Hartnett and Skogan (1997) assert that the success of the program is dependent on decentralization of the organizational structure of the police department so as to ensure concentration on crucial matters. The aim of this process is to increase interactions between the police and community as well as minimize the time and resources used in bureaucratic process followed in handling of crime. They further emphasize on the need for improved communication channels for the public, adoption of broad based approaches to issues of the neighborhood and a commitment in response to community priorities. The need for adequacy of the necessary resources is emphasized by Barga (2008) so as to allow concentration on crucial matters and to adequately and conclusively solve problems. He also asserts that it is necessary to follow up the program even after the problem has been solved. This serves to create stable mechanisms that do not allow for a repeat of crimes.
The main purpose of crime reduction program is the solving of the problem of crime and related issues. The effectiveness of the program thus largely depends on the manner in which crime and related problems are dealt with. It is necessary to identify problems conclusively for the development and evaluation of responses that could be effective. The process has to involve: evaluation to identify and prioritize problems, analysis through in-depth research, development of solutions, evaluation of responses and eventual focus on the victim, the offender and the crime location (U.S. Department of Justice, 2010). The process of problem solving is critical and thus the information relied upon has to be up-to-date, reliable and kept confidential for security purposes.
Effects of the program
Once the necessary factors for the success of the program are in place, normally positive results and impact is indispensable. This leads to the fulfillment of the goals of the program especially improving the quality of life for the residents. The main aim of the program being addressing the problems in the community, the highest effect is in adequately solving the problems it was set to address (Barga, 2008).
An effective program increases the levels of trust of the community towards the police. In this case they are empowered to raise their concerns, make contributions in terms of ideas and advice while being actively involved in taking actions to address neighborhood issues (Jersey Village Police, 2004). Overall, the community experiences harmony and a conducive environment for the people to coexist and interact. The freedom and peace experienced allows the community to concentrate on their personal and community development thus affecting the overall growth and development of the community and state as a whole.
Crime reduction program requires adequate resources to start and maintain. The partnership built between the various stakeholders especially the community encourages them to mobilize their resources for the maintenance of the program (Jersey Village Police, 2004). The program also increases the commitment of the police in handling community matters while fostering development through the transformations carried out in the organization (Hartnett & Skogan, 1997). In addition, since the success of the program gains media attention, it attracts further support mainly from the governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, media and private businesses. This enhances the maintenance and continued support of the program (Barga, 2008).
Conclusion
It is evident that the community is the central focus of any program focused on addressing issues facing the members. This means that their priorities and ideas are very crucial in forming the aims of such programs as crime reduction. This paper has recommended crime reduction program while addressing the importance of community policing in its incorporation. It has also emphasized on the factors to be taken into consideration in addressing the program. In addition, the effects of the program have not been overlooked since they form part of the success story of the program. In conclusion, it is necessary for the stakeholders, departments and community to aim at maintaining the program to avoid a recurrence of the problems it seeks to address.
Reference List
Barga, A. A. (2008). Problem- Oriented Policing and Crime Prevention. New York: Willow Tree Press.
Hartnett, S., & Skogan, W. (1997). Community Policing. Chicago: Oxford University Press.
Jersey Village Police. (2004). Community Oriented Policing. Web.
U.S. Department of Justice. (2010). Community Policing Defined. Web.