Policing in Local Law Enforcement: A Commitment to Getting Out-of-the-Car

• NCJ Number: 228755
• Journal: Police Chief Volume: 76 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2009 Pages: 28,30,32,34
• Author(s): Steve Dye
• Date Published: October 2009
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article discusses the proper role of technology in community policing, with attention to a concern that it not have the effect of keeping patrol officers in their cars instead of out of their cars interacting with community residents.

Abstract

One of the primary components of both community policing and crime reduction is the personal connection between officers and residents, business owners, civic groups, and visitors to the community. Ongoing interaction with community constituencies is critical for police in cultivating a cooperative approach with the community in addressing public safety issues. A failure of police personnel to commit fully to collaboration and partnerships can result in ineffective problem solving, a lack of community support, and minimal involvement with the community. New police technology, much of it installed in patrol cars and much of it useful, has added to the complexity of a patrol officer's job and created a new challenge for administrators who embrace the community policing mission. Police administrators must analyze each new technology for its impact on service to the community and the objectives of community policing. Technology should not move officers away from interpersonal contact with the community and collaborative partnerships. Technology has demonstrated that it can enhance community policing efforts through timely electronic notifications regarding crime trends, alerts, and police-community meetings and events. Online offense reporting can free up more discretionary time for officers to spend in interactions with the community. Training programs must continue to emphasize the importance of proactive field work and the delivery of effective community policing. Officers must be made aware of the potential danger of becoming accustomed to "watching the box" and being driven primarily by information received on their mobile data computers.