Community Policing and Problem Solving Mc Even 1994

Community Policing and Problem Solving

Mc. Even (1994) § National Survey of Police Departments § 80% said…. . ? ?

Community Policing Defined:

Text Book Definition: Community Policing is a philosophy, a management style, and an organizational strategy that promotes proactive problem solving and community/police partnerships to address causes of crime, fear of crime, and other quality of life or community issues

Research in Canada Braiden (1984) Bank Robberies § 1069 § $2. 8 million § 100% Reported Bicycle Thefts § 182, 000 § $45 million § 29% Reported

The Idea of Community Policing q. CP is substantial reform; Perhaps the most substantial since policing embraced the professional model q. CP is a change in philosophy that broadens the police mission q. CP is a comprehensive philosophy

q. Officers must not only be enforcers, they must also serve as advisors, facilitators, organizers, and supporters of communitybased initiatives. q. View citizens as customers.

Service Models v Reactive -Citizen initiated – response – incident driven v Proactive -Police initiated – operational strategies v Co-active -Problem solving partnerships – mutual

q. The CP philosophy asks officers to look beyond the individual incidents to see whethere are underlying pressure points q. CP is a grassroots form of participatory democracy (to include participatory management) – community and internal components q. CP decentralizes police services – internally and externally

q. Focus is on the street level officer assigned to a specific beat/area working closely with people and their problems. q. Need to move beyond the traditional paternalistic attitude and empower officers and the citizens.

q. Cannot rely merely on pretenses; we must embrace the spirit of service, accountability, and responsiveness q. Making the crucial transition from being a promising philosophy to a professed norm q. People are the PD’s most valuable resource and should be treated as valued partners in the police process

Dimensions of Community Policing Ø The Philosophical Dimension Ø The Organizational and Personnel Dimension Ø The Strategic Dimension Ø The Programmatic Dimension

Philosophical Dimension Historically we have focused on outputs, e. g. , arrests made, citations issues, response times, etc. Police have not been effective (Statistically speaking). Reactive policing does little to deal tangibly with community problems.

§ The broaden function/mission incorporates fear reduction, order maintenance, and community health § Crime is a product of social conditions and, therefore, it cannot be controlled through police actions § Traditionally we’ve been primarily concerned with educating the public and not truly listening to them about their needs § CP encourages two-way communication

§ In addition to being law enforcement organizations, police departments need to be service-oriented organizations. § Police must do more than attempt to impose their authority. § CP is not just a tactic to gain the eyes and ears of the community.

Organizational and Personnel Dimension § People who have been isolated and disenfranchised (for economic reasons or lack of power) should have a voice in both police activities and in development of initiatives. CP is egalitarian in this sense § Must change our organizational structures, modify personnel orientation and adjust value systems. These changes will allow transition to community policing § Look beyond individual crime incidents for new ways to solve problems

Three (3) Strategic Dimensions 1) Geographic focus and ownership ** Need to focus on locations within the City ** Must have some level of geographical permanence for cp to be successful. Officers must work a specific area on a permanent basis. They’ll become familiar with the residents, activities, and social problems

2) Direct, daily, face-to-face contact **The continued, daily presence will breed familiarity for both the police and the citizens **Develop and implement modes of transportation that make the citizens accessible and the officers approachable. The patrol car is a clear barrier to open and effective communication

3) Prevention focus **Examine the conditions surrounding crime and disorder (hotspots) in an effort to develop effective measures of eliminating them **Must take the lead in implementing programs that attack the underlying causes of crime

Programmatic Dimension CP is operationalized through: 1) Reoriented police operations ** Alternatives to random patrol, e. g. , foot patrol, bike patrol, directed patrol, and citizen surveying

(2) Problem-solving **We should engage problem solving, rather then focusing solely on responding **Adhere to and follow the S. A. R. A. model **Creative solutions. Innovative officers need the freedom to innovate

3) Community engagement/partnerships **Engagement is accomplished through the establishment of partnerships

History Sir Robert Peel – who was he?

The Philosophy of the Professional Model

Challenges of the 60’s

The Birth of Community Policing § As history demonstrates, many factors set the stage for the birth of community policing. § § § The isolation of officers in police cars; The narrowing of the police mission to crime fighting; An over-reliance on the scientific approach to management that stressed efficiency and effectiveness;

The Birth of Community Policing (continued) § Increased reliance on high-tech gadgetry instead of human interaction; § Insulation of police administration from community input and accountability; § A long-standing concern about police violation of human rights; § Failed attempts by the police to reach the community, such as Crime Prevention and team policing units.

The Early Experiments Were found to be very successful

Traditional Versus Community Policing Models Question Traditional Policing (TPM) Community Policing (CPM) Who are the Police? A government agency principally responsible for law enforcement Police are the public, and the public are the police… How is police efficiency measured? By detection & arrest rates By the absence of crime & disorder What are the highest priorities? Crimes that are high value (bank robberies, involving violence) Whatever problems disturb the community most What specifically do police deal with? Incidents Citizen’s problems & concerns What is police professionalism? Swift/effective response Keeping close to the community What is the essential nature of police accountability? Highly centralized Emphasis on local accountability How do the police regard prosecutions? As an important goal As one tool among many

What Do We Mean By “Community”?

Community Identification Model Community Government Academic Institutions Communities of Faith Corporate Representation Local Business Philanthropy Business/Community Cooperatives Cultural Community Non-Profits Social Services Community Interest Groups Senior Groups Community Volunteers Youth Groups Media Quasi-Public Agencies

Community Partnership Continuum Collaboration Cooperation Coordination Contact

Community Partnership Process Trust Facilitates Communication & Community Contact Facilit ates

What Are The Core Components of Community Policing? § Community Partnership § Problem Solving (SARA)

The SARA Model S A R A

Scanning § Examine, identify, determine, or search for problems or hot spots

Analysis § Collect information, try to fully understand all components of the problem § We try to learn everything possible & evaluate past actions

Response § Structure an effective, “tailor made” response

Assessment § Assess the response – did it work § Eliminate or reduce the problem § Displace the problem § Do we need more analysis

Scanning - Learning about the problem § Strategies for information gathering § Personal observations looking beyond the symptoms § Talking & listening to others § Reviewing all police reports § Newspapers § Interviews of people in the area

Scanning (continued) § Ask simple, reporter questions § What is occurring? § Who does it affect? § When is it occurring? § Where is it occurring?

What Is A Problem? § Cluster of incidents § Community concern § Police business

Characteristic of Problem § Behavior § Territory or geo § Persons § Time

Analysis – The Crime Triangle § Identify & understand each Element of tim s er Vic nd fe Of s the triangle Location

Response § Step-by-Step § Determine what obstacles must be overcome § Develop a list of action steps § Identify & recruit the resources needed to make the plan work § Develop a timetable § Delegate roles & responsibilities § Consider formalizing roles & responsibilities in a written partnership agreement

Assessment § Eliminate the problem § Reduce the number or severity of harmful incidents to the public § Improve public’s perception of police handling the problem § Displace the problem § Refer the problem to the most appropriate resource

Problem Solving Process Problem Identification Problem Solving Information Exchange Trust

Community Policing Is Not: § Soft on crime § “Touchy Feely” § Social work § A trend or program § Not a panacea § Short term

Paradigm Shift Traditional Community Policing è Arrest is a primary tool è Numbers oriented è Incidence driven è “Us” vs. “Them” mentality è Citizens call 911 è We do for the community è Police, government & citizens è Arrest is only one tool è Results/outcome è Proactive problem solving è Partnership è Work with police/government è Work with the community è Value of sharing information are reluctant to share information è Citizens do not interact with neighbors & community è Officers focus on call response & criminal arrest è Community group è Crime reduction & prevention