Community policing strategies help maintain community integrity, safety

Lara Herschberg — Community policing is, as the name implies, a collaboration between the police and the community. This strategy identifies and solves common problems in the community, and increases people’s trust in police. Community policing policies are something that everyone, especially people pursuing online criminal justice degree programs, should learn more about.

Facts about community policing strategies

Community policing is about addressing issues proactively, rather than reacting to situations when they arise. If a community wants something to improve, more people need to be involved, and all parties need to communicate.

There are three main components of community policing strategies: community partnerships, organizational transformation, and problem solving.

Some interesting community policing strategies

The following are 10 policing strategies that have been recognized and won awards from the International Association of the Chiefs of Police.

1. Problem Solving and Prevention. The Ontario Provincial Police coordinated a task force of police, residents, government agencies and, insurance companies to address issues relating to vehicle-deer collisions.

2. Community Engagement. After Sept. 11, the Santa Ana Tribal Police Department participated in community events, making the department more visible. They also partnered with public and private organizations as well as sponsored training activities.

3. Educating the Community. In Florida, the Boca Raton Police Department discovered that people over the age of 80 were at an increased risk of falling victim to crime. As a result, an innovative outreach program was formed called “The Elder Education Seminar”.

4. Educating the Private Sector. The Silverthrone Police Department in Colorado started alcohol-server training for local businesses and opened the lines of communication with local restaurant owners. The number of DUI arrests significantly declined from 167 one year to only 17 the next.

5. Partnerships. The Tempe Police Department in Arizona partnered with citizens representing businesses, educational institutions, centers of worship, elected officials, utility companies, neighborhood watches, emergency services, health care and a local university to form the Tempe Citizens Corps Council.

6. Partnerships with Nonprofits. The Youth Service Providers Network is a partnership between the Boston Police Department and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. It pairs social workers with front-line police officers to provide alternatives to the juvenile justice system through intervention services.

7. Partnerships with Government Agencies. The Rossville Police Department in California created a specialized unit with four officers and two park rangers under the direction of a full-time sergeant. They focused on troubled neighborhoods as well as mobilizing, partnering and problem-solving. They joined other staff of the city’s departments and citizen leaders to form a neighborhood task force.

8. Partnerships with the Private Sector. The Minneapolis Police Department, faced with severe budget shortfalls, developed Operation Safe Zone. Operation Safe Zone used more than 300 security officers in a four-part collaboration to reduce crime.

9. Task Forces. The police in Irvine, California, formed the City Safe Community Task Force consisting of city, district, police and community partners. It was focused on researching community safety and identifying possible solutions to ongoing problems caused by youth violence.

10. Civilian Volunteers. In Utah, the Draper Police Department formed a Mobile Neighborhood Watch. This initiative was met with overwhelming volunteer response from community leaders, business owners, and church groups. Volunteers were trained to patrol the rough terrain on foot and using ATVs, horses, and mountain bikes.

Policy strategies are important to criminal justice’s future

As the Bureau of Justice Assistance says, “Community policing is democracy in action.” To deter crime and create more vigilant neighborhoods, strengthening communities is essential — community policing strategies are one way to accomplish this.

 

About the Author

Lara Herschberg is studying for her online leadership degree. She worked for seven years as a police officer before deciding to continue her education.