Protecting Your Community From Terrorism: Strategies for Local Law Enforcement, Volume 2: Working with Diverse Communities

• NCJ Number: 207079
• Author(s): Heather J. Davies; Gerard R. Murphy
• Date Published: March 2004
• Length: 89 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2002-HS-WX-K001
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Corporate Author: Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Conference Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded October 29, 2004. See NCJ-200297 for Volume 1, and NCJ-207080 for Volume 3.

Annotation

This paper is the second from a series of five forums held by the Police Executive Research Forum offering strategies and recommendations for local law enforcement in meeting the needs of the diverse communities with emphasis on protecting them against future terrorist threats.

Abstract

In June 2003, the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) supported by the U. S. Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) held the second executive session of a group of local law enforcement executives, Federal law enforcement professionals, diverse community leaders, and criminal justice practitioner. The session focused on how law enforcement should engage diverse communities with a special focus on the Arab, Muslim, and Sikh communities. This paper, the second in a series, is intended to advance law enforcement’s delivery of police services in diverse communities. The paper is divided into three main sections or chapters. The first focuses on community concerns and the fears that diverse community residents have about Federal laws, law enforcement practices, and the effects of hate-motivated violence and property destruction. Residents’ perceptions about what law enforcement is doing right are also discussed. The second section addresses Federal law enforcement issues focusing on Federal programs and resources that affect the ability of local law enforcement to work with diverse communities. The third and final section on law enforcement matters discusses the challenges facing law enforcement practitioners. It builds on the first two sections and identifies a number of strategies and tactics that agencies can tailor to the unique concerns of a particular jurisdiction. It reiterates the need for local and Federal law enforcement to strengthen their partnerships and make them more effective. Promising approaches are presented and discussed. Recommendations are presented for local law enforcement agencies committed to serving individuals with respect, fairness, and understanding as they assume their new role in policing in a counterterrorism context. Appendixes