Community policing models focus on police working with citizens of communities in the interest of solving common problems. Working with the leadership and members within specific communities helps to forge the process of public trust and mutual respect between both parties. The objective of community policing models focus on bonding the community with their protectors to solve common social disorders. Proactive measures by the police and citizens of each community assist in solving public nuisance issues and crimes against persons. The development of a community-policing program is a direct response to the need for public trust restitution. Prior to community policing, agencies would enforce zero-tolerance models to solve high crime rate area disputes and civil unrest matters. These methods lead to corruption and immoral practices by law enforcement officers and officials. The evolution of professional policing models continues to provide measurable statistics for implementing benchmark strategies. Measuring the effectiveness of a program determines the direction of the model to adopt. Extrapolating data is crucial to determine the appropriate community-policing theme and adjust as situations dictate for individual municipalities seeking a program. Leadership within the agency and officers partnering with the community validates adjustments to fulfill the community’s needs. Community-policing programs are as effective as the municipality chooses to make them.
A few thoughts on “community policing”
