NCJ Number
94288
Date Published
1983
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Effective policing, which involves policing that is acceptable to the public, encompasses mutual accountability, the relationship between police and the community, police and community response to crime prevention, a feeling of security within the community, a sensitive police response to community calls for assistance, and a community understanding of policing and police policy.
Abstract
Effective policing not only involves the efficient and effective performance of law enforcement duties; it also includes the application of priorities and policing methods that are acceptable to the public. This involves mutual accountability in police-citizen interactions. The police must be responsive to public opinion, and the community is accountable for the character of its environment and response to policing issues, policies, and problems. Mutual accountability must be made operational through consultation at the beat level. A consultative committee should bring police and community representatives together to discuss issues of mutual concern and give police the opportunity to explain their reationale for policy and approach. Good community-police relations depend upon the commitment of the divisional commander to being responsive to community needs and perceptions, the maintenance of a stable police presence at street level, and police personnel being composed of the various ethnic and racial groups represented in the community. Effective policing should result in a reduction of reported crime. Such a reduction is not likely to result from the committing of extra police resources to crime detection and prevention but rather through the mobilizing of the community to provide informal crime control mechanisms.