This article initiates a paradigm shift in police management by discussing some of the tenets that, if well implemented, may guide the police not only in controlling and influencing behavior to prevent crime in a transparent and inclusive way but also in prosecuting offenders (Bratton & Killing para. 2). These tenets include ensuring police operations are driven by strategy rather than tactics, ensuring police play a central role in crime control, and facilitating the partnership between the police and community members.
In discussing the strategy tenet, the authors are categorical that reactive responses used by police in the past cannot be effective today, hence the need to pursue proactive prevention strategies that are adequately debated and acknowledged to maintain direction. The authors underline the fact that police must be actively aware of the strategy they use in combating modern-day crime as this awareness substantially informs the tactics to be employed (Bratton & Killing para. 7-10).
In ensuring the police play an active role in crime control, the authors take note of the flawed argument suggesting that acts of crime are caused by poverty, the economy, demographics, racism and social injustice, and hence police can do little to prevent crime except to respond when it occurs. To correct this flawed assertion, the authors put forward a proposition of involving police in crime control through employing strategies such as community policing, problem-solving and broken windows policing. These authors argue that police should employ assertive and targeted policing if they are to achieve the goal of minimizing crime (Bratton & Killing para. 11-17). This view is reinforced by other scholars, who argue that police should employ assertive and targeted approaches such as problem-oriented policing and directed policing to control crime (Telep & Weisburd 331).
In discussing the partnership tenet, the authors underline the need for the police to continuously partner with citizens are rely on citizen cooperation through initiatives such as neighborhood watches as well as individual vigilance (Bratton & Killing para. 18-20).
The authors note that owing to the successful implementation of these tenets in the US, the police have become more innovative, are successfully dealing with the race issue, are increasingly using research to guide operations, and are now more highly educated and professional than at any time in history. However, challenges in financial constraints, rigorous use of on-the-ground activities to understand aggregate data and gun control issues, among others, need to be addressed to ensure gains so far achieved in reducing crime in major US cities are not reversed (Bratton & Killing para. 21-34).
Works Cited
Bratton, William and George L. Kelling. “Cops Count, Police Matter: Of Tactics and Strategy.” The Police Chief. 79.12 (2012): 54-59. Web.
Telep, Cody and David Weisburd. “What is known about the Effectiveness of Police Practices in Reducing Crime and Disorder?” Police Quarterly. 15.4 (2012): 331-357. Academic Search Premier. Web.