The Importance of Private Security in Community Policing

The Significance of Private Security in Community Policing

In 21st century America there are two major forces that are shaping security needs in urban centers , neighborhood , and cities . These are the marked increase in crime rates and the ever looming terrorist threat For many the solution calls for a type of community policing . If this is a viable option or the only remaining option for those who continually harassed by emboldened criminals then the question that needs to be asked is who will supply the required workforce , infrastructure , and management systems necessary

for community policing

This will attempt to shed light on the dynamics involved in community policing , specifically with regards to who will supply the workforce , will it be the public security agency or private security ? At this point it already be said that the ideal scenario would be to see the State and local law enforcement agencies provide the necessary resources to establish community policing . But in reality , the brunt of community policing goes to private security . And all these will be discussed later

Background

Police work can find its roots in medieval times when there was a need for an alternative to standing armies in the peace and requirements of the society . This has evolved into an institution and in the case of the U .S , into a government regulated agency . This worked well for the most part of American history but recent trends and contemporary challenges such as explosion in technology , urbanization of the U .S . landscape , rapid increase in population , increase in the number of immigrants , and the ever looming threat of terrorism has rendered traditional police work ineffective if judged against the number of unsolved cases and the aforementioned high crime rate

The difference between traditional methods of doing police work and the recent program on community-minded police activities can be understood by looking at the following guidelines that are shaping modern community policing

Neighborhoods or small communities serve as primary foci of police organization and operations

Communities have unique and distinctive policing problems that conventional police organizations and responses have not traditionally addressed

Community consensus and structures should guide police response to the community 's crime and security problems

Police discretion should be used positively to maximize community confidence (Brogden Nijhar , 2005 ,

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In addition Brogden and Nijhar pointed out the key features of community policing that will make it effective in mitigating crime : 1 Consultation through community forums 2 ) Adaptation , diversity and locality of decision-making and 3 ) Mobilization

With regards to consultation through community forums , no one can argue the fact that effective communication can preempt future crisis and can also reduce misconceptions that can lead to negative emotions Concerning adaptation , there is also no need to elaborate on the increasing diversity in many American cities . The number of immigrants is increasing and the melting pot effect is making it harder to fully understand the eccentricities of other people 's culture

This can lead to a major fight and...