Community Relations & Community Policing

1. Community Relations & Community Policing “Looking Good Or Doing Good”

2. Community Relations or Community Policing What is the difference between Community Relations and Community Policing?

3. Police Community Relations Benefits and Problems

4. Benefits of Good Police-Community Relations • Greater Cooperation • Decreases in Crime & Delinquency • More Effective Enforcement • Better Communications • Better Police Recruitment • More Resources • Higher Salaries

5. Problem Aspects of Police-Community Relations Programs • Projecting a positive image • Irregular contact with citizens • Isolated acceptance of PCR unit • Limited influence and respect for officers • Focus on strained relations & crime prevention

6. Problem Aspects of Police-Community Relations Programs (cont) • Advice on crime prevention from PCR only • Police accountability by civilian review boards • Chief reacts only to law enforcement concerns • Officers focus on racial & ethnic tension

7. Problem Aspects of Police-Community Relations Programs (cont) • Cordial relationship, but superficial trust • Intermittent contact with the public • Officer seldom seen “on the streets” • Officer is viewed as an “outsider” • Citizens do not get to know officers • Influence is from “the top down”

8. Problem Aspects of Police-Community Relations Programs (cont) • No fundamental organizational change • Citizens are encouraged to volunteer • Service providers stay in traditional roles • Success by traditional measures—i.e., crime rates. • Most staff members are sworn personnel

9. Community Policing Aspects and Characteristics

10. Three Dimensions of Community Policing • Philosophical • Strategic • Programmatic

11. Philosophical Dimensions of Community Policing • Broad Police Function • Citizen Input • Neighborhood Variation

12. Strategic Dimensions of Community Policing • Geographical Focus • Prevention Focus • Substantive Focus

13. Programmatic Dimensions of Community Policing • Reoriented Police Operations • Problem Solving & Crime Prevention • Community Engagement

14. Three forms of Crime Prevention • Primary • Secondary • Tertiary

15. Primary Crime Prevention • Environmental Design • Neighborhood Watches • General Deterrence • Public Education • Private Security

16. Secondary Crime Prevention • Identification and Predication • Crime Area Analysis • Diversion • Schools • Youth Programs

17. Tertiary Crime Prevention • Specific Deterrence • Incapacitation • Rehabilitation and Treatment

18. Components of Community Policing • Solve problems; improved relations with citizens • Regular contact between officers and citizens • A department-wide philosophy and acceptance • Internal and external influence and respect for officers • Well defined role—both proactive and reactive policing • Officers take complaints and give crime prevention tips

19. Components of Community Policing (cont) • Citizens cooperate in setting up the police agenda • Police accountability is ensured by citizens • Officer is the leader in the neighborhood • Chief has law enforcement and social services concerns • Officers educate public about issues • Increased trust between the police and citizens

20. Characteristics of Community Policing • Long-term, regular contact with citizens • Officer is accessible • Regular visibility in the neighborhood • Officer is viewed as having a “stake in the community” • Officer is a role model • Influence is from “the bottom up” • Meaningful organizational change

21. Characteristics of Community Policing (cont) • Informal social control is the first choice • Officer encourages citizens to volunteer • Officer encourages service providers in problem solving • Officer mobilizes all community resources • Success is reductions in fear, disorder, and crime