The future of policing looks like it will be full of changes, especially when it comes to community policing. This concept was recently introduced as a way for officers to build relationships with civilians and really familiarize themselves with specific areas in their communities.
While police officers have more advanced tools to do their jobs than ever before, problems of inefficiency and corruption continue to affect departments across the U.S. Between population increases and the increase of firearms on the street, police officers have found it more and more of a challenge to make sure the streets are safe for all citizens. This is where the concept of community policing comes into play.
Some critics view community policing as an expensive and non-permanent solution to a very serious problem, but if police officers and the general public work together to prevent crimes and maintain order, great advancements can be made in making America a safer place for everybody.
By speaking with residents and listening to their concerns, community police focus more on their surroundings instead of meeting a quota. It really is about opening up the lines of communication between the police and the public. It is impossible for the police to please everybody and that is why widespread community support is so important in order for police to do their jobs more effectively. That doesn't mean departments are not also doing their part to change things. Major changes in officer training are on the horizon including a likely move toward requiring a college degree of some sort as a condition of initial employment.
As community patrol officers work more closely to improve the quality of life in the communities in which they reside, perhaps some consensus about mutual responsibility for law enforcement and order maintenance will be reached.
This course will examine the development of community and problem-oriented policing. It also looks at successful examples of community policing as well as what critics have to say about the practice. Students will also discuss the issues police will face in the future.
By the end of this course, students will understand the following concepts: community policing, areal decentralization, police-community reciprocity, problem oriented policing, lateral entry, private police and terrorism.