NCJ Number
94285
Date Published
1983
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This paper critiques concepts of community policing in various British communities and suggests a general approach to a structure for community policing.
Abstract
Proposals for community policing in Handsworth, West Midlands, Devon, and Cornwall pose varying concepts of community policing and mechanisms for achieving it. In Handsworth, a proposal for community policing appears to be a device for uniting mainstream elements in the community and driving out groups perceived by the police to be extremists. The police should not assume such a role in a democratic society. Community policing in the West Midlands emphasizes improving communication and trust between the police and immigrant communities. The need to win trust at local levels is the reason for the police becoming involved in projects aimed at providing facilities in disadvantaged areas. This, however, puts police in the role of seeking patronage at the local level, which parallels the role of local politicians. The purpose of community policing in Devon and Cornwall appears to be to reduce crime through improved community development policies. The mechanisms advocated are better coordination of services, police surveys in high crime areas, and meetings with the community to explore ways to meet community needs. Such an approach raises the issue of how the police are to be made accountable for the policies they advocate. Police initiatives to improve their involvement in the community should not be abandoned because of potential dangers of increases in police power, but there should be new mechanisms to ensure that such police initiatives are controlled through local democratically elected councils as are all other services. References are provided.