Critical Elements of Community Policing

Critical Elements of Community Policing According to Police Chief Will Johnson, does community policing work? Why/why not?

What does the success of community policing depend upon?

According to the Chief of the Arlington Police department, Will Johnson, community policing works since it has contributed to a better and positive work environment where the public and officers are safer (2018). The police chief also notes that there is increased order in Arlington, Texas, due to community policing. The technique allows cooperation between the police department and the people of Arlington. The latter can watch over their neighbors and quickly report to the police whenever they spot any distrustful individuals or criminal activities —this occurs because the local citizens have developed trust with the Arlington Police Department. Arlington's community has supported the police department and significantly helped in reducing the crime rate and enhancing the quality of life in the city. The department has also received positive feedback from various initiatives, including faith-based community partnerships, citizen volunteers, and participation programs (Johnson, 2018). The Arlington patrol officers have filed reports showing that the public is happy with the community policing strategy.

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Discuss the critical elements of community policing identified by Chief Will Johnson?

Describe each in a few sentences.

Chief Will Johnson identifies problem-solving as a critical element of community policing. The department assigns officers a specific geographical location and allows them to stay in those areas for a significant period; hence, forging relationships with the community. As a result, the police can be proactive and creative enough to prevent and address any problem.

Community policing emphasizes both the reactivity and proactivity of the police officers.

Through this, they combine preventive with an investigative strategy to ensure the safety of the citizens.

The Arlington Police department utilizes the SARA tactic in ensuring its proactive strategy, which involves scanning, analysis, response, and assessment. The tactic helps in reducing crime and increasing awareness of community issues to the police officers. Technology and data sharing are other elements of community policing. The sharing of data with other entities and individuals enables the department to access vast resources that facilitate their problem-solving. The local citizens are also elements of the strategy since their cooperation with the police officers is crucial for community policing. Thus, the department must build trust among the locals that will ensure the establishment of significant relationships.

Is community policing proactive or reactive?

Community policing is proactive since it involves the police officers being present in the neighborhoods to create long-lasting relationships with the community, prevent and address any problem. Officers who are going out to prevent crimes before their occurrence ensures a significant reduction in the number of crime and reactive calls since fewer individuals get

COMMUNITY POLICING3 victimized (Borilla, 2015). The Chief of the Arlington Police department also acknowledges that they assign officers to various neighborhoods to maintain communication and engagement; hence, preventing crimes and not just responding to the crime calls. Through this, community policing strategy can be more effective in reducing criminal activities since the public trusts the police for their safety.

What is the operation safety net? Why is it essential for Chief Johnson to discuss the operation safety net in this article?

Johnson (2018) refers to Operation Safety Net (OSN) as a multidisciplinary approach that integrates intelligence, investigators, and field activities to create a team with similar objectives.

The team's goals include lowering the rate of robberies, assault, and gun crimes. For effective incorporation, OSN requires public cooperation, and the police should inform them before its launch. Chief Will Johnson recognizes the essence of OSN in reducing crime rates. He notes that at the time of their OSN launch, cases of aggravated assault and robbery were on the rise.

However, during the conclusion of the program, the crimes had declined significantly to average rates.

COMMUNITY POLICING4 References Borilla, M. M. (2015). The relationship between proactive and reactive policing in allegations of misconduct. Alliant International University. Retrieved 12 November 2020, from https://search.proquest.com/openview/b1b387db6cc24aaae579bcebb801a6c6/1?pqorigsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y Johnson, W. (2018). Community Policing: Much More Than Walking a Beat. Cops.usdoj.gov., 11(5). Retrieved 12 November 2020, from https://cops.usdoj.gov/html/dispatch/052018/walking_a_beat.html.