Police Strategies (Term Paper Sample)

Policing strategies
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Problem oriented policing
Problem oriented is a policing strategy that was developed by Herman Goldstein. Unlike other policing strategies, problem oriented policing advocates for the application of assessment and analysis in addressing crime and disorder problems in order to come up with effective response strategies. Compared with other policing strategies, problem oriented policing presents law enforcers with a multilayered approach to addressing crimes and averting others before they take place (Boba & Santos, 2011). Moreover, the strategy also involves subjecting distinct pieces of policing work to microscopic analysis with the expectation that what is newly learnt about each problem will help in developing a new and effective way of handling it. This is usually done with the help of crime analysts and the input of experienced field personnel. It is worth noting that the analysis involves acts of crime and disorder that the law enforcers are expected to tackle.
One distinctive feature of problem oriented policing strategy is that it prioritizes new responses to crime that are preventive in nature, and also that are independent of the use of the criminal justice system. Moreover, this strategy advocates for the involvement of other stake holders in law enforcement who include public agencies, the private sector and community. This is usually done when the involvement of the above mentioned parties has the potential to considerably contribute to the reduction or elimination of the identified problem. Compared to other policing strategies, Problem oriented policing includes a commitment to implement the newly discovered strategy and evaluate its effectiveness thoroughly (Boba & Santos, 2011). After the new strategy has been implemented and thoroughly tested to check its effectiveness, the results are then reported in a way that they will help other police agencies. One major shortcoming of Problem oriented policing it is difficult to implement. This is because it involves a lot of paper work and record keeping. Moreover, it may face resistance from law enforcers because many belief that crime can only be solved through the use of force.
Community-oriented policing
As the name suggests, community policing is a law enforcement strategy that combines crime prevention measures, law enforcement, community engagement, problem solving and community partnership. In the United States, community oriented policing gained popularity in the 1960a when the existing law enforcement strategies proved inadequate. Traditionally, the United States relied on professional policing models which were based on efficient response, hierarchical structures, use of motorized cars and standardization (Boba & Santos, 2011). However, the civil disturbances of the 1960s made it clear to policy makers that the existing policing strategy was inefficient because it alienated the police and the community they were supposed to serve. The basic goal of community oriented policing is to bring together law enforcers and the community with an aim of identifying and addressing crime in the locality. Instead turning up to respond to emergency calls only and apprehending criminals, community based policing ensures that police officers go a step further to identity the cause of the crime and the disorder involved. This helps them to comprehensively solve the problems in the community. For this policing strategy to work, police officers must cultivate a close relationship with members of the public. One similarity between Community-oriented policing and Problem oriented policing is that both strategies involve bringing other stakeholders on board in addressing crime.
The same with Problem oriented policing, community oriented policing puts a lot of emphasis on prevention of crime. The close working relationship between the police and the public in community oriented policing has been fostered through the neighborhood watch program. This program was developed by the National Sheriff’s Association in 1972 and it has become very popular since then (Boba & Santos, 2011). The program enlightens the locals on the need to collaborate with law enforcement in curbing crimes in the community. Moreover, it teaches the residents on ways of identifying suspicious activities within the community and how to report them. One major shortcoming of this policing strategy is that it some communities may find it hard maintaining it. This is usually common in low income neighborhoods where people work for long hours and have no time to attend security meetings. Additionally, it is hard for neighbors to know one another in such neighborhoods because they spend majority of their time at work.
CompStat
CompStat is an acronym that stands for computer statistics and it’s a policing philosophy in tackling crime. Unlike other policing strategies, CompStat presents law enforcers with a unique way of gathering, analyzing and mapping crime data and other law enforcement measures on regular basis. Unlike community based and problem oriented policing, CompStat stresses accountability all levels as well as quick identification problems and coming up with creative solutions (Shane, 2007). CompStat mainly focuses on street-level and high crime areas, and also drives short term accountability to upcoming crime challenges. In other words, CompStat helps precise and timely analysis of disorder and crime data, which is then used in identifying crime patterns and problems.
Based on the resultant analysis, police develop personalized responses that are implemented through rapid deployment of resources and personnel. Unlike other policing strategies, CompStat involves implementing an accountability structure to guarantee that the analysis is acted upon and all resources are implanted accordingly (Shane, 2007). Moreover, it also involves carrying out assessments to check whether the adopted responses are effective in combating crime and disorder or not. CompStat is guided by four major principles namely timely and accurate intelligence, effective tactics, rapid deployment and relentless assessments and follow-up.
Zero Tolerance Policing
Zero tolerance is a policing strategy that involves the use of confrontational measures in tackling crime. In other words, zero tolerance policing involves the use of force in tackling crime in the community. The strategy gained widespread popularity in the 1990s after it was used by New York police to address crime in the city (Bratton, 1998). Zero Tolerance Policing strategy is based on the broken windows theory which states that escalation of crime in a certain area creates the impressions that nobody is in control. When this happens, the community becomes increasingly disjointed and fearful, which in turn results to further disorder and the perception that further crimes can be committed without any reasonable consequences. The basic premise of zero tolerance policing is that if law enforcers are seen to be doing something to tackle crime, potential criminals will be reluctant to commit crime in that area.
Zero tolerance policing strategy is a huge contrast to Community-oriented policing wh...