Understanding Community Policing and Special Populations: Challenges and Strategies

1. AJ 58 – Community and Human Relations Chapter 11 – Community Policing and Special Populations

2. Working with Special Groups • Latter 19th century saw police catering to special groups due to political influence • Professional Era of policing removed police from caring about/working with needs of special groups • Human-relations focus of 1960’s caused Law Enforcement to re-think services to Community • Much more attentive to community needs and concerns • Some groups present special concerns • Juveniles, Homeless, Minorities, Tourists

3. Juveniles • Juvenile crime increasing, especially violent crime • Juveniles also largely victimized • Abuse, molestation, neglect, abandonment, etc. • Police efforts must include… • Active discovering, investigating, prosecuting child exploitation • Cooperation with child social agencies • Linking families to assistance programs

4. Violent Crimes by Juveniles • What causes a juvenile to commit violent crimes? • Abuse and neglect • Poor socio-economic conditions • Gangs • Access to weapons • Hopelessness • Exposure to media-sensationalized violence • Weakening of family unit • Drug culture

5. Dealing with Juvenile Violence • Juvenile offenders often victims themselves • High-risk activities, situations • Police must identify “Hot Spots” and address them through… • Enforcement, Education, Community Action • Providing recreational, cultural activities • Working with schools to reduce crime and violence

6. Youth Gangs • Part of American history/culture • Recent growth throughout US • Approx. 5,000 gangs with 250,000 members • Commonly shared “gang characteristics” • Name and symbols • Geographic territory, “turf” • Hierarchy of leadership, organization • Ongoing behaviors of criminality, control

7. Identification of Gang Members • Admits to being in a gang • Tattoos, clothing, paraphernalia • Police records/reports of gang involvement • Arrested with other gang members during gang-related crime • Reliable-informant information

8. Why Join a Gang? • Fill a void of social disorganization in lower-class communities • Little access to traditional goals/success • Wealth, power, recognition, fame • Protection • Fear-induced recruitment • Gangs form as result of disorganization and disintegration of neighborhoods

9. Community Policing Response to Gangs • Target gang leaders, repeat violent offenders for arrest/prosecution • Refer fringe members, families to services • Provide preventive programs to at-risk kids • Provide crisis-intervention, mediation for gang disputes • Directed patrols of gang “hot spots”

10. Dealing with the Homeless • Homeless population estimated to be about 2–3 million • Fewer than 100,000 shelter beds available • Reasons? • Lack of affordable housing • De-institutionalized mental health care • Changes in federal welfare programs • Unemployment, Cost-of-Living • Breakdown of traditional family

11. Homeless and the Police • Police caught in the middle • People fear the loitering/menacing homeless • Complaints to police • Victimization of homeless • On the streets, in shelters • Less likely to report • Role of CPO • Link to shelters, available services • Link to employment opportunities

12. Homeless Types • Socioeconomic • Forced to live homeless due to drastic change in economic circumstances • Mentally Ill • Not enough for hospitalization, but too disruptive/violent for family or friends • Lifestyle • Homelessness is a conscious choice • Undocumented Immigrants • Not likely to report crimes, may be involved in criminal behavior to survive

13. Police Response to Homeless • Departmental goals? Policies? • Do they see homelessness as a problem? • Many departments without specific policy rely on criminal violations to deal with homeless problem • Alcohol, drugs, loitering, panhandling, etc. • Community Policing Response • Combine services with enforcement • Cooperate with other agencies

14. Police and Minorities • Traditional barriers to positive relations between Minorities and Law Enforcement • Recent recognition by Law Enforcement of the existence of a multicultural society • Need for better services • Minority concerns • Victimization • Hate crimes • Arrest/incarceration • Representation within law enforcement

15. Minority Concerns (continued) • Lack of police protection • Poor level of available services • Unfair treatment/harassment, • Stereotyping • Racial Profiling • Excessive Force • Discrimination

16. Lightning Rods for Criticism • Infamous incidents of racial tension • Rodney King – LAPD, 1991 • Abner Louima – NYPD, 1997 • Amadou Diallo – NYPD, 1999 • Rampart Division – LAPD, 1999 • Common complaints • High number of stops, detentions, arrests • Racial Profiling

17. Undocumented Immigrants • Exact numbers unclear • Some estimates at about 5 million • Increases by about 275,000 per year • High likelihood of victimization • Not likely to report due to fear of deportation • What is the primary role of Law Enforcement, enforcement or protection? • Remember the 14th Amendment!

18. Tourists and Transient Populations • Populations of summer/winter resort destinations can change drastically • Concerns for Police • Reckless/irresponsible behavior • Less likely to have stake in community • Targets for victimization by local criminals • Community Policing Efforts • Work closely with hotels, businesses • Education and awareness programs