Policing in America: Police and Community

Policing in America Name of the Student Institutional Affiliation Introduction Police can be referred to as the body of officers that represent the civil authority of the government. The role of police officers is to maintain law and order in the community they serve. They go through academic and physical training to protect citizens as well as property. They are commissioned to ensure safety for the citizens they serve at all times. Law enforcement officers have the integrity of minimizing the rate of crime in the areas under their jurisdiction and apprehend the offenders for necessary action to be taken. These functions are referred to as police. Besides, the police officers are entrusted with some regulatory activities. This paper aims at examining how policing has helped in minimizing criminal activities in America. Police and Community There is an outstanding organizational, geographic, and historical diversity in the activities of law enforcement officers. The work of police has changed significantly from what it was decades ago. Their work is increasingly becoming necessary as the population continues to rise in number (Weitzer, 2015). Also, informal institutions of social control and socialization have decreased in terms of effectiveness thus making the work of police officers to increase in terms of necessity. Several factors aid in explaining the diversity of police systems and activities. The type of criminal activities in the community, as well as the methods employed by the offenders, play an important role in determining the activities of the police force. For example, if criminals are using computer devices to commit crimes, police officers need expertise in dealing with cybercrimes, or if they are armed, the officers also must be armed to counteract the activities of these criminals. Police officers have to carry out their activities in a manner that will build the mutual trust of the people they serve. A strong relationship between the community and police agencies is important for effective policing and maintaining the safety of the public. Law enforcement officers rely on information from the members of the public about criminal activities within the community. Besides, the community helps police officers to come up with strategies of curbing the menace in the concerned areas (Ekins, 2016). Similarly, the willingness of members of the public to build trust with the officers depends on whether they believe that the actions police are going to take reflect the values of the community. Additionally, police actions have to include the moralities of procedural legitimacy and justice. The legitimacy of police officers has been questioned in many states due to the use of excessive force and other issues when they are carrying out their work. As a result, many cities have experienced protests and demonstrations marches of rampant cases of excessive use of force, as well as police misconduct. Decentralization of Police Force The political culture of the country helps in determining whether its police forces will be organized locally or ...