NCJ Number
240565
Journal
International Journal of Police Science & Management Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: Winter 2012 Pages: 362-372
Date Published
2012
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Despite differences in culture, customs, language, traditions, religion and so forth, the author argues that similarities remain in the area of neighbourhood and community policing wherever it is practised. He further suggests that this area of policing lends itself particularly well to comparable methods being adopted in different settings.
Abstract
The difficulties and pitfalls involved in transferring different policing methods from one country to another by way of police assistance programs (PAPs) have been widely accepted for many years. Adopting a 'one-shoe-fits-all' approach can result in bewildered audiences, missed opportunities, wasted funding and criticism from the 'recipients' of the organizations and the 'experts' involved. Without proper context setting, well-established methods and procedures from one country can fail spectacularly in another. Despite differences in culture, customs, language, traditions, religion and so forth, the author argues that similarities remain in the area of neighbourhood and community policing wherever it is practiced. He further suggests that this area of policing lends itself particularly well to comparable methods being adopted in different settings. Specifically, in post-conflict regions, which are the main 'target' for PAPs, these programs are delivered by a plethora of organizations such as European Police Missions, the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program and so on. This article aims to examine this style of policing, the roles, skills and training of the officers within it, and common themes and barriers to its implementation. Specific reference is made to three post-conflict regions: Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Kyrgyzstan. An assertion will be made that many of the problems which neighbourhood officers face come not from the community, but from within the police family itself. In doing so, the author draws on the international literature and on his own experiences of policing with the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the UN in Kosovo, and ongoing work as a consultant to the OSCE in the area of neighbourhood policing in Kyrgyzstan. (Published Abstract)