Quote:
Originally Posted by Itse
For those wondering what "community-led policing" is, AFAIK Seattle is one go-to example in the US on that philosophy. I don't honestly know much about the details, but if I've understood correctly, they've been very happy with the results, and crime statistics are down.
Google would likely help with the details.
|
You can't point at any one jurisdiction as a great example of community oriented policing, because COP is a framework or series of principles and processes that can be implemented a la carte. Some implement basic components while others implement a large framework. Some implement simplistic methods such as listening sessions with the community, or adopt an open compstat (advanced analytics) with public review and oversight, while others will adopt more holistic controls driven by community engagement and civilian management. Some agencies are closed and have full sworn contingents in every facet, from administration staff to IT practitioners, while others have adopted more civilians in the same roles and maintained just sworn officers for beats and special units.
For example, the agency I worked for began a move to COP and brought in civilian employees in every position that did not require a POST certified officer. This meant civilians were responsible for functions like Evidence, Crime Scene Technicians and Forensics, Records Management, administration positions, customer facing roles, etc. My agency went so far as to implement a civilian investigator group who were responsible for working with the public on petty crime and accidents. We were fully engaged with the COP framework and had a ton of public involvement. Our community respected this and participated greatly with us, even when a large percentage of our community was undocumented. They still trusted the cops to do the right thing and support the community.
But then we had a change in leadership and things went the other way hard. We had an old school Professional Policing chief come in and he did away with as many civilians as he could. I left and watched in horror as the police service went hard right and adopted the paramilitary model to the max and put as many sworn officers into positions as they could. They also went back to old recruiting models and weeded out the "community cops" replacing them with hardcore authoritarians. You can guess where this went. Officer involve shootings and officer on civilian violence skyrocketed, drawing national attention. This was not a good period and they have lost the trust of the community. It is sad to see. COP works when its done right.