Reflections on the Relationship Between Community Policing and Democratic Policing (From Evaluating Community Policing, P 101-118, 2003, Tom Van den Broeck, Christian Eliaerts, eds., -- See NCJ-203040)

• NCJ Number: 203045
• Author(s): Tom Van den Broeck
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: Uitgeverij Politeia NV
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: Belgium

Annotation

This article discusses the democratic content of community policing.

Abstract

The democratic content of community policing depends on the extent to which it responds to the community’s local needs and demands. In the more democratic version the community participates or contributes to the orientation of police tasks and procedures, in particular to its evaluation. The undemocratic tenet of the old professional model is highlighted by its lack of such accountability. Real accountability differs from mere monitoring because it contains the possibility to influence or direct the process of selection through which a policy of law enforcement is constructed. Community policing based on the respect for civil rights and accountability is necessary for effective policing. This raises the question of whether these conditions are being met by current policy changes toward a practice of community policing. A summary of data collected during years of research on the establishment of a Belgian community oriented policing policy shows that consultation was established between residents, the local constabulary, and authorities concerning the local governance of crime. But a closer look at these initiatives reveals that policy (and the outcome) regarding community involvement tend to differ considerably. Organized public hearings, which can potentially become a form of accountability on local police performance, tend to be evaluated negatively by the citizens involved. Residents have little feedback whether their comments or complaints about police practice are being taken into consideration. The scarcity of contacts and consultation (especially between ethnic minorities and the police) results in a lack of mutual understanding. It is the local authority and the advising civil servants or the local police management that usually decides which kind of security policy will be implemented. Community policing was incorporated in a strategy of local governance of crime that is to remediate the adverse effects of a globalized and dualized society. Policing and security policymakers, including community policing, will have to decide about how to take into account these social transitions. 24 footnotes, 57 references