The Pros And Cons Of Community Oriented Policing

Community oriented policing is not perfect therefore, patience is required. Often communities which have recently experienced police/race issues as well as high crime in the past takes time to build trust on both sides. As mentioned earlier, police aggressiveness can be a major hurdle in bridging the gap. Some members of the community may have had bad experiences in their past, either warranted or not, and therefore will never trust police officers. Others can be saved through social outreach programs. Once community members see that they have both a vested interest as well as input of ideas and a sense of ownership, some are easier to persuade and can also influence others.

Apathy and fear of reprisal are two major issues officers are faced

Many officers had grown up in the era of mobilized policing therefore, they were hesitant and resistant to change. They argued response time in addition to low statistics involved with community oriented policing. They failed to see that community based policing attacked the underlying and often systemic problems which led up to issues they dealt with on a daily basis. To increase response time, many departments introduced a bicycle patrol programs which has paid dividends in several areas, a timely response being only one. Others include, beneficial health aspects for the officers as well as high community visibility and a connection with younger people within the

Education and technology has held center stage for the last few decades which have provided valuable advancements in theory. At one time most police officer’s had little more than a high school education, some even less. Today it is commonplace for most to have a minimum of an Associate’s Degree and not at all uncommon to find those with advanced degrees in criminology. With these academic achievements comes critical evaluation backed up with statistical evidence and strategic as well as intelligence led initiatives. As far as community oriented policing, it’s hard to determine if it is a concept, a theory or a tactic and asking several police officers its meaning will render several different answers but there is no question that whatever it is, it works. Some argue that it has been in existence long before it became the buzzword of the day. One thing for certain is that it is not an overnight fix to correct longstanding social problems, it is an investment which must be cultivated for it to grow and pay dividends but not just an investment from the police, for it to be successful, it must be embraced by both