Challenges of Policing in a Democratic Society Essay

Introduction

The United States (U.S) faces new challenges of policing in the 21st century. Similar to other western countries, U.S's new crime problems encompass preventing terrorism both domestically and internationally, controlling immigration of people displaced by violence, peace-keeping in failing states, poverty and climate change, and responding to new economic and technological crimes. Law enforcement agencies are also increasingly involved in addressing social issues like responding to entrenched disadvantage in minority communities, individuals with mental disorders, and a perceived growth in anti-social behavior. Notably, these new challenges have surfaced against the backdrop of existing normal crime problems of property offenses, drugs, and violence.

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In this changing climate, contemporary policing is characterized by the uncertainty and diversification of crime control hurdles. Previous versions of policing could focus on relatively familiar and stable categories of crimes and offenders, and on conventional, reactive responses to them (Williams & Murphy, 1990). Nevertheless, the new problems evolve fast, depend on a wide range of political, social, technological, and economic aspects, and need new skills, and innovative and flexible responses. Thus, law enforcement agencies are challenged not only by the new paradigm but also by their reducing relevance and effectiveness as the primary agents of crime control. Notwithstanding, the government, under the leadership of President Obama established a task force that was tasked with identifying best practices and availing recommendations on how policing practices can enhance effective crime reduction while building public trust.

Hence, this paper argues that the community policing and crime reduction pillar can be an effective policing reform because it establishes an active and equal collaboration between the law enforcement agencies and the public through which crime, community and police safety issues can jointly be discussed and solutions established and implemented.

Community Policing and Crime Reduction

According to the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing (2015), Community Policing and Crime Reduction focuses on the significance of community policy as a guiding philosophy for all stakeholders. The pillar's objective is to build trust between the police force and the community, and thus, bring down crime (Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division, 2016). Primarily, what every section of the community desires to know is, are the police listening to them? Do law enforcement agencies care about the service they are providing the people?

Reaching out to community residents by law enforcement agencies can support the identification of problems, enhance a culture of collaboration, and execute solutions that generate meaningful results for the community. The agencies should develop and adopt policies and strategies that reinforce the importance of community participation in managing public safety (President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing, 2015). For instance, police require the community's consent for their extended and empowered functions and must maintain the cooperation. Additionally, in some cases, they need the endorsement of the local communities to form partnerships and networks and exercise their extensive coercive authority. Any failure to secure community permission for police work risks the likelihood of alienation of sections of that community, which can hinder crime reduction (Williams & Murphy, 1990).

President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing (2015) adds that communities should support a culture and practice of policing that reflects the values of protection and promotion of the dignity of all, mainly the vulnerable such as the at-risk youth and children. In particular, communities need to assert and recognize the voices of young people in community decision making, ease youth participation in research and problem solving, and develop and fund youth leadership training and life skills through positive youth-police collaboration and interactions (Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division, 2016). Interactions can be youth or police-initiated and may happen in programmatic settings like police-led programs such as athletic leagues, or through day-to-day interactions in the community and school settings. Positive interactions between youths and law enforcement officers can ensure that officers understand the youth and the decisions they make, and influence youths' perceptions and behaviors toward law enforcement.

Finally, law enforcement agencies should avoid using law enforcement tactics that unnecessarily stigmatize youths and marginalize their participation in schools and communities (President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing, 2015). Mainly, many youths come to the attention of law enforcement because of being victims of violence in school or in the community, property crime, or child abuse or neglect. Thus, youth-police contacts can lead to informal solutions such as initiatives and services that divert youth away from system involvement or arrests, and distance entry into the criminal and juvenile justice systems. Such programs can play a great role in deterring and preventing youth crime.

Conclusion

In summary, the community policing and crime reduction pillar can be an effective policing reform because it establishes an active and equal collaboration between the law enforcement agencies and the public through which crime, community and police safety issues can jointly be discussed and solutions established and implemented. Nevertheless, for community policing to work best, various strategies such as community engagement, and youth-police collaboration and interactions should be linked to a wide municipal commitment to the community policing effort.

References

President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing. (2015). Final Report of the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division. (2016). Investigation of the Baltimore City Police Department. Washington, DC: US Department of Justice.

Williams, H., & Murphy, P. V. (1990). The evolving strategy of police: A minority view (Vol. 13). Washington, DC: US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice.