10 Things Everyone Should Know About Community Policing

In the face of growing distrust between communities and law enforcement across the United States, community policing offers an alternative to traditional policing models that many believe are no longer sufficient

High-profile incidents, combined with a growing concern over systemic issues, have led to calls for greater collaboration within the community. Community policing reconceptualizes police officers as active members within the community, placing an emphasis on building trust, being proactive in problem-solving, and developing partnership-driven solutions to address issues of public safety. The model not only aims to prevent crimes, but also to heal the chasm that has caused widespread distrust.

Here are 10 key elements for an effective reimagining of community policing, illustrating its potential for creating safer, more connected communities.

Origins of Community Policing

Community policing emerged in the 1980s as a response to crime and the shortcomings that traditional policing methods had brought about. As crime rates rose and public confidence in law enforcement began to decline, calls for police reform focused on collaboration and engagement in order to address the root causes of crime and rebuild relationships between police and the communities they served.

A Proactive Approach to Law Enforcement

While traditional policing involves responding to incidents after they happen, community policing is based on a proactive approach. Officers work within communities to identify problems early and solve them before they escalate. By communicating with the community members and being in tune with their needs, officers can better predict and potentially prevent the occurrence of crime.

Building Trust Within Communities

Trust is the foundation of community policing. The police must engage with the community on a consistent basis in non-enforcement roles to build relationships in which the police are viewed as neighbors and partners. Trust building has the potential to transform the nature of the relationship, making police more approachable, and ensuring that those in the community feel safe and supported by police presence.

Effective Crime Prevention

Studies have shown that crime rates are lower and citizen satisfaction with law enforcement is higher when community policing programs in a community are strong. Because the programs involve direct contact and interaction with the community to resolve local issues, they are better at creating safety and harmony and therefore less need exists for a reactive type of policing.

Enhanced Officer Training

Effective community policing also requires that officers be well-trained in areas such as law enforcement tactics, communication, and relationship-building skills. Specialized training helps officers to understand the intricacies of various diverse communities and how to positively interact with the residents in these communities to build a better program.

Problem-Solving As a Core Tactic

Problem-solving is generally viewed as one of the building blocks of community policing and tends to be implemented collaboratively between the police department and local organizations or individuals within those communities. The police practice problem-solving by holding community meetings or working in partnership with businesses or nonprofit organizations within the community, during which time both the police and the residents bring forth issues to be addressed and create workable solutions. This approach ensures that the solutions are tailored to each community’s unique needs.

A Focus on Youth Engagement

Youth involvement is a vital part of community policing. This allows officers to connect with the younger members within the community. Through the work of schools and youth organizations, the officers are involved in the process of steering young people away from crime and curbing the juvenile delinquency problem. Such proactive engagement encourages positive role models within law enforcement and improves the perceptions of the police among youngsters.

Support for Vulnerable Populations

Community policing emphasizes care for vulnerable groups: children, older people, minorities, people with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness. By designing special programs for these groups, officers can try to help those who are in a comparatively vulnerable position, which, in turn, will improve the living standard of the entire society.

Long-Term Benefits and Sustained Effectiveness

Long-term community policing initiatives tend to have long-lasting results in the reduction of crime and improvement in police-community relations. Community policing programs generate durable changes to improve public safety, developing ongoing trust and respect between law enforcement and community members, the benefits of which are wide-ranging and meaningful.

Promoting Accountability and Transparency

The foundation of good community policing rests on accountability and transparency. Community policing encourages police departments to be open with community members. Plans and projects currently underway are openly highlighted, along with information about crimes that have been committed and what is being done to handle neighborhood concerns. This accountability breeds trust, opens doors of communication, and reassures residents that their concerns are not taken lightly. Hence, it forms a basis for accountability between police and the community.

Community Police Relations Foundation (CPRF)

The Community-Police Relations Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Al Eskanazy, plays an active role in building positive police-community relationships. By funding programs, training, and outreach, CPRF aims to upgrade efforts to improve police-community relationships and build trust. It collaborates with local law enforcement agencies to bring about many programs steeped in mutual respect, understanding, and good communication. Through its activities, CPRF bridges gaps between police and communities to build a safer, more cohesive environment for all.