_improving police-community relations

Improving Police - Community Improving Police - Community Relations through Community Relations through Community

PolicingPolicing

National Crime Prevention Council National Crime Prevention Council

20062006

National Crime Prevention Council National Crime Prevention Council 20062006 22

ObjectivesObjectivesDefine community policing and its principlesDefine community policing and its principles

Describe the benefits and the importance of Describe the benefits and the importance of citizen involvementcitizen involvement

Identify strategies for effective Identify strategies for effective communicationcommunication

Identify the six factors for improving police Identify the six factors for improving police community relationscommunity relations

Describe the benefits of Neighborhood Describe the benefits of Neighborhood WatchWatch


Crime Prevention as a BridgeCrime Prevention as a Bridge

Crime Prevention efforts reduce polarization Crime Prevention efforts reduce polarization that sometimes exists between police and that sometimes exists between police and citizens.citizens.

Community Policing, Neighborhood Watch, Community Policing, Neighborhood Watch, Orange Hat Patrols, Weed & Seed, and Orange Hat Patrols, Weed & Seed, and McGruff programs build a bridge that enables McGruff programs build a bridge that enables residents and law enforcement to residents and law enforcement to communicate, collaborate, and work together communicate, collaborate, and work together to build safer, more caring communities.to build safer, more caring communities.


“A policing philosophy that promotes and supports

organizational strategies to address the causes of crime, to reduce the fear of crime and social disorder through problem-solving tactics and

community-police partnerships.”

- Community Oriented PolicingServices Office

Community PolicingCommunity Policing


The 8 “P”s of Community Policing

A PHILOSOPHY of full service,

PERSONALIZED

POLICING, where the same officer

PATROLS and works in the same area on a

PERMANENT basis, from a decentralized

PLACE, working in

PARTNERSHIP with citizens to identify and solve

PROBLEMS.


Community PolicingCommunity Policing

The philosophy rests on the belief that law-The philosophy rests on the belief that law-abiding citizens in the community have the abiding citizens in the community have the

responsibility to participate in the police responsibility to participate in the police process. It also rests on the belief that process. It also rests on the belief that

solutions to today’s contemporary community solutions to today’s contemporary community problems demand freeing both community problems demand freeing both community residents and law enforcement to explore residents and law enforcement to explore creative ways to address neighborhood creative ways to address neighborhood

concerns beyond a narrow focus on concerns beyond a narrow focus on individual crimes.individual crimes.


Sir Robert PeelSir Robert PeelConsidered a “father” of law enforcementConsidered a “father” of law enforcement

Are his principles of Are his principles of policing still policing still applicable today?applicable today?

Absolutely!Absolutely!


Sir Robert Peel’s Sir Robert Peel’s Nine Principles of PolicingNine Principles of Policing

1. The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder.

2. The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon public approval of police actions.

3. Police must secure the willing cooperation of the public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the public.


4. The degree of cooperation of the public that can be The degree of cooperation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionally to the necessity secured diminishes proportionally to the necessity of the use of force.of the use of force.

5. Police seek and preserve public favor not by 5. Police seek and preserve public favor not by catering to public opinion but by constantly catering to public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law.demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law.

6. Police use physical force to the extent necessary to 6. Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order secure observance of the law or to restore order only when the expertise of persuasion, advice, and only when the expertise of persuasion, advice, and warning is found to be insufficient.warning is found to be insufficient.

Sir Robert Peel’s Sir Robert Peel’s Nine Principles of Policing (cont.)Nine Principles of Policing (cont.)


7. Police at all time should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition; the police are public and the public are the police. The police being only full-time individuals charged with the duties that are incumbent on all of the citizens.

8. Police should always direct their actions strictly towards their functions and never appear to usurp the powers of the judiciary.

9. The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it.

Sir Robert Peel’s Sir Robert Peel’s Nine Principles of Policing (cont.)Nine Principles of Policing (cont.)


The more the various The more the various groups share common groups share common values, beliefs, and values, beliefs, and goals, the more likely it goals, the more likely it is that they will agree on is that they will agree on common goals.common goals.

Normative Sponsorship Theory

Most people are of good Most people are of good will.will.

• They will cooperate with others to facilitate

the building of consensus.


Critical Social TheoryCritical Social Theory

EnlightenmentEnlightenment-Give -Give informationinformation

Empowerment-Take action to improve conditions

Emancipation-People can achieve through social action


Community relationships provideCommunity relationships provide

Worth in social valueWorth in social value• A more informed citizenryA more informed citizenry

• Example to young people and othersExample to young people and others

Added valueAdded value• Opportunity to learn about law enforcement while Opportunity to learn about law enforcement while

working with law enforcementworking with law enforcement• Learning about citizens’ concernsLearning about citizens’ concerns


How Do How Do People View People View the Police?the Police?


Agencies Opening Their Doors to Agencies Opening Their Doors to Citizens through Citizen Police Citizens through Citizen Police

Academies…Academies…

Why can it be important?Why can it be important?

Who can it benefit?Who can it benefit?


Philosophy of the Citizen Philosophy of the Citizen Police Academy Police Academy

Agency size and demographics can Agency size and demographics can sometimes create barriers between the sometimes create barriers between the police and those they serve.police and those they serve.

Community policing is paramount to the Community policing is paramount to the effectiveness of crime reduction.effectiveness of crime reduction.

Police Image – There are many Police Image – There are many misconceptions to dispel.misconceptions to dispel.


Philosophy of the Citizen Police Philosophy of the Citizen Police Academy (cont.)Academy (cont.)

CommunityCommunityPolicePoliceBusinessBusiness

SchoolsSchoolsGovernmentGovernmentYouthYouth

Who Will Benefit from It?

EVERYONE!


Philosophy of the Citizen Police Philosophy of the Citizen Police Academy (cont.)Academy (cont.)

• Improved Improved CooperationCooperation

• Less ApathyLess Apathy• Reduction in Reduction in

CrimeCrime• Reduction in Fear Reduction in Fear

of Crimeof Crime

• Better Better CommunicationCommunicationss

• Improved Police Improved Police ImageImage

• Clear Clear UnderstandingUnderstanding

What They AccomplishWhat They Accomplish


Introduction to Volunteers in Introduction to Volunteers in Police ServicePolice Service

Foundations of the VIPS ProgramFoundations of the VIPS Program• 2002 Presidential initiative2002 Presidential initiative• Department of Justice and IACP responsibilitiesDepartment of Justice and IACP responsibilities

ConceptConcept• Volunteers from the communityVolunteers from the community• Expanding law enforcement to the communityExpanding law enforcement to the community


Volunteers in Police Service Volunteers in Police Service (cont.)(cont.)

Why they are neededWhy they are needed– Ease demands on law enforcementEase demands on law enforcement– Encourage a more informed citizenryEncourage a more informed citizenry– Provide an example to young peopleProvide an example to young people– Improve cooperation and understanding Improve cooperation and understanding

between the police and their communitybetween the police and their community


ConsiderationsConsiderationsof Community Interactionof Community Interaction

How community volunteers can be How community volunteers can be used within their communityused within their community• Legal issuesLegal issues• Safety issuesSafety issues• Expertise issuesExpertise issues


Community/Police Needs and Community/Police Needs and SupportSupport

Filling needs with volunteersFilling needs with volunteers• Coordinating positionCoordinating position• Prerecruitment action requiredPrerecruitment action required• Role of the International Association of Role of the International Association of

Chiefs of PoliceChiefs of Police• Match volunteers to the organization’s Match volunteers to the organization’s

strategic planstrategic plan• Possible volunteer positions (adapt to local Possible volunteer positions (adapt to local

needs)needs)


Recruiting and MarketingRecruiting and Marketing

Recruitment strategyRecruitment strategy• Who is your target?Who is your target?• Develop a planDevelop a plan

• Recognize important existing networks and tap inRecognize important existing networks and tap in• Churches, PTAs, community councils, Kiwanis, Churches, PTAs, community councils, Kiwanis,

Rotarians, etc.Rotarians, etc.• Elementary and secondary schools Elementary and secondary schools • Youth, courts, citizen police academiesYouth, courts, citizen police academies


Develop organizational marketing Develop organizational marketing materialsmaterials• WebsitesWebsites• BrochuresBrochures• Fliers/handouts/fact sheetsFliers/handouts/fact sheets• Store window postersStore window posters• Ads in local papersAds in local papers• Cable channel accessCable channel access

Recruiting and Marketing (cont.)Recruiting and Marketing (cont.)


Media assistanceMedia assistance• Public service announcementsPublic service announcements• News releasesNews releases

Prerecruitment strategyPrerecruitment strategy• Secure top management buy-inSecure top management buy-in• Develop organization marketing materialsDevelop organization marketing materials

Recruiting and Marketing (cont.)Recruiting and Marketing (cont.)


• Position descriptionPosition description• Time commitmentTime commitment• Defined program activitiesDefined program activities• Direct supervisorDirect supervisor• Website access for personal record of Website access for personal record of

service/journalservice/journal• How long should volunteers serve?How long should volunteers serve?• Age criteriaAge criteria• Citizen police academy attendance prior to Citizen police academy attendance prior to

serviceservice

What does a citizen need to know What does a citizen need to know before volunteeringbefore volunteering??


Police Agency Management and Police Agency Management and Administrative IssuesAdministrative Issues

Agency mission, objectives, and goalsAgency mission, objectives, and goals• Define the agency’s mission, objectives, and goalsDefine the agency’s mission, objectives, and goals• Volunteer concept and political considerationVolunteer concept and political consideration• Volunteer objectives and goals within agency missionVolunteer objectives and goals within agency mission• Clear and specific department guidelines for Clear and specific department guidelines for

volunteersvolunteers


• Develop a prerecruitment strategy according Develop a prerecruitment strategy according to the VIPS’ goal to help resource-constrained to the VIPS’ goal to help resource-constrained agenciesagencies

• Internal management responsibilitiesInternal management responsibilities• External management responsibilitiesExternal management responsibilities• Who can manage the programWho can manage the program• Training issuesTraining issues• Liability issuesLiability issues• Funding issuesFunding issues

VIPS Management and VIPS Management and Administrative IssuesAdministrative Issues


Strategies for Effective Strategies for Effective CommunicationCommunication


Trust Building ModelTrust Building Model

TRUST

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

RELATIONSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP BUILDING

GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND RANGE OF SOLUTIONS

GREATER SUCCESS !


The Communication ProcessThe Communication Process

Message cuesMessage cues

Listener supplies meaningListener supplies meaning

ContentContent

Relate to your audience/build Relate to your audience/build rapportrapport


The Communication Process The Communication Process (cont.)(cont.)

One-way or two-way communicationOne-way or two-way communication

Verbal/nonverbal cuesVerbal/nonverbal cues

Physical appearancePhysical appearance

Solicit student engagement and Solicit student engagement and participation by using open-ended participation by using open-ended questions and feedback.questions and feedback.


Nonverbal Communication Nonverbal Communication ConsiderationsConsiderations

Facial expressionFacial expression

Tone of voiceTone of voice

Eye contactEye contact

TouchTouch

Personal spacePersonal space

TerritorialityTerritoriality

TimeTime


Building Trust Through Building Trust Through Effective CommunicationEffective Communication

Effective ListeningEffective Listening

Listen to learn and understand, not Listen to learn and understand, not to challenge or persuade.to challenge or persuade.

Take turns and listen for FACTS and Take turns and listen for FACTS and FEELINGS. (Both are important.) FEELINGS. (Both are important.)


Six Factors Necessary Six Factors Necessary To Improve To Improve

Police-Community RelationsPolice-Community Relations


The Six FactorsThe Six Factors

1.1. MembershipMembership

2.2. EnvironmentEnvironment

3.3. Process/StructureProcess/Structure

4.4. CommunicationsCommunications

5.5. PurposePurpose

6.6. ResourcesResources


MembershipMembership

1.1. Appropriate cross-section of membersAppropriate cross-section of members

2.2. Mutual respect, understanding, and trustMutual respect, understanding, and trust

3.3. Members see that collaboration is in their Members see that collaboration is in their best interest.best interest.

4.4. Members develop an ability to Members develop an ability to compromise.compromise.


EnvironmentEnvironment

1.1. Political and social climate are favorable.Political and social climate are favorable.

2.2. Collaborative group is viewed as a leader Collaborative group is viewed as a leader in the community.in the community.

3.3. There is a history or evidence of There is a history or evidence of collaboration or cooperation in the collaboration or cooperation in the community.community.


Process/StructureProcess/Structure1.1. Members are invested in the Members are invested in the

process as well as the outcome.process as well as the outcome.

2.2. Clear roles and responsibilitiesClear roles and responsibilities

3.3. FlexibilityFlexibility

4.4. AdaptabilityAdaptability

5.5. Equal decision-making authority is Equal decision-making authority is held by each member regardless of held by each member regardless of rank, authority, or place in the rank, authority, or place in the hierarchy.hierarchy.


CommunicationCommunication

1.1. Members learn to listen and allow Members learn to listen and allow venting.venting.

2.2. There is open and frequent There is open and frequent communication.communication.

3.3. Members disclose self-interest at Members disclose self-interest at first meeting.first meeting.

4.4. Members establish informal and Members establish informal and formal means of communication. formal means of communication.


PurposePurpose

1.1. Concrete, attainable goals and objectivesConcrete, attainable goals and objectives

2.2. Shared visionShared vision

3.3. Desired results and strategiesDesired results and strategies


ResourcesResources

1.1. A skilled and unbiased convenerA skilled and unbiased convener

2.2. Staff time and volunteer timeStaff time and volunteer time

3.3. Sufficient funds Sufficient funds

CRIME IN YOUR CRIME IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOODNEIGHBORHOOD

A A lack of community involvementlack of community involvement may lead to some of the most serious may lead to some of the most serious and perplexing problems your and perplexing problems your community facescommunity faces..


Why is Community Involvement Why is Community Involvement Important?Important?

When members of a community are involvedWhen members of a community are involved

with each other, they knowwith each other, they know– Their neighborsTheir neighbors– The daily “goings-on” in the neighborhoodThe daily “goings-on” in the neighborhood– When something is wrongWhen something is wrong


One great way to perpetuate One great way to perpetuate community involvement is community involvement is through the Neighborhood through the Neighborhood

Watch programWatch program


What is the Neighborhood Watch What is the Neighborhood Watch program?program?

Neighborhood Watch was established in Neighborhood Watch was established in 1970 to bring residents together to interact 1970 to bring residents together to interact and become the guardians for the police and become the guardians for the police in their community. in their community.


Neighborhood WatchNeighborhood Watch

Crime prevention group organized around a block, defined neighborhood, or business districtServes as “eyes and ears” for law enforcementHelps establish/reclaim informal control of an area by observation, visibility, and increased social interactionDonates time and resourcesUsually has no formal budget or funding sourceSuccess results in reduction in crime and improved quality of life for neighborhood residents


The Benefits The Benefits of Neighborhood of Neighborhood WatchWatch

Studies show Neighborhood Watch is Studies show Neighborhood Watch is effective because iteffective because itBrings neighbors together around a Brings neighbors together around a common cause – safety and securitycommon cause – safety and securityProvides basic skills to all members on Provides basic skills to all members on preventing crime and reporting suspicious preventing crime and reporting suspicious activity or crimesactivity or crimesBuilds a base for action to correct Builds a base for action to correct neighborhood problemsneighborhood problemsWorks well with other civic associations Works well with other civic associations

Additional Additional Citizen Citizen ActionsActions

Discuss your community’s overall security, Discuss your community’s overall security, including lighting, and contact neighbors or including lighting, and contact neighbors or the proper authorities to request necessary the proper authorities to request necessary improvements.improvements.

Contact your local law enforcement agency Contact your local law enforcement agency and work with it to discuss basic community and work with it to discuss basic community modifications that may overcome current modifications that may overcome current problems.problems.


Are state crime prevention associations and Are state crime prevention associations and Neighborhood Watch programs involved in Neighborhood Watch programs involved in

community policing and homeland security?community policing and homeland security?

As citizens, we all share theresponsibility for reporting and

preventing terrorism in our communities. We can be alert and

aware of those activities in our neighborhood that may have links to

terrorist and criminal behavior.

Absolutely!


How can citizens be more aware?How can citizens be more aware?

Be informedBe informed: Read the newspaper, listen to or : Read the newspaper, listen to or watch local and national news reports, and attend watch local and national news reports, and attend community meetings.community meetings.

Be alertBe alert: Be familiar with your environment at : Be familiar with your environment at home, school, work, church, and social events.home, school, work, church, and social events.

Be preparedBe prepared: Have a prepared family plan for : Have a prepared family plan for emergencies. Create a family first aid kit, attend emergencies. Create a family first aid kit, attend crime prevention classes, and get involved with crime prevention classes, and get involved with your local law enforcement and crime prevention your local law enforcement and crime prevention associations.associations.


In Conclusion…In Conclusion…

Community policing is the responsibility of Community policing is the responsibility of both law enforcement AND community both law enforcement AND community members. BOTH have important roles in members. BOTH have important roles in community policing.community policing.

There are many ways to involve the There are many ways to involve the community in crime-reduction and problem community in crime-reduction and problem solving, including community meetings and solving, including community meetings and citizen police academies.citizen police academies.

Police and local citizens are ALL members Police and local citizens are ALL members of the community.of the community.


Questions Questions and and

AnswersAnswers


Special Thanks toSpecial Thanks to

Tri-State RCPITri-State RCPI

for providing their materials for this for providing their materials for this presentationpresentation


ResourcesResources

Community Policing ConsortiumCommunity Policing Consortium

www.communitypolicing.orgwww.communitypolicing.org

Volunteers in Police ServiceVolunteers in Police Service

www.policevolunteers.orgwww.policevolunteers.org

Citizen CorpsCitizen Corps

www.citizencorps.govwww.citizencorps.gov


The National Crime Prevention The National Crime Prevention CouncilCouncil

1000 Connecticut Avenue, NW1000 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Thirteenth FloorThirteenth Floor

Washington, DC 20036Washington, DC 20036

202-466-6272202-466-6272

202-296-1356 fax202-296-1356 fax

www.ncpc.orgwww.ncpc.org


Presenter Contact InformationPresenter Contact Information

_improving police-community relations

Documents

police community relations

police community relations

communitypolice partnerships

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absence of crime

fear of crime

causes of crime