NCJ Number
195409
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 71 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2002 Pages: 6-13
Date Published
June 2002
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The paradox of handling future global issues while dealing with future local concerns is one of the law enforcement profession's most challenging endeavors.
Abstract
Police administrators of the future must think globally because of immigration and Internet technology. The freedom of movement across U.S. borders and the limitations of a fragmented criminal justice system will provide serious challenges to law enforcement at every level. Changes in the economy, communication, technology, and transportation will force law enforcement practitioners at all levels to deal with the globalization of crime. Both legal and illegal immigrant criminals either take up residence or seek temporary shelter in ethnic communities. Additionally, they often prey on residents in segregated communities. The problem is compounded by the reluctance of immigrant citizens to report crime to the police. Emerging technology has also generated a new genre of crime, dubbed "cybercrime," as criminals use electronic means and the Internet to launder illegal gains and perpetrate other forms of crime. While the globalization of crime has become a challenge for police locally, local trends are moving toward more geographic isolation of communities from one another, as manifested in an increase in the number of gated communities. This can not only result in reduced access for public police to segments of the community, but also creates a false sense of security for residents in such communities. The ultimate goal of any police agency should be to lead the community in policing itself. While community-oriented, problem-solving programs tout partnerships, the actual intent of any local strategy is for citizens to resolve the problem and collectively create an environment in which crime cannot take root and flourish. 30 notes