POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS

POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONSSPO2 Lyrma Niaga CajegasPCR PNCOWhat is Police Community Relations?Police Community Relations are complicated and constantly changing interactions between representatives of police organization and an assortment of governmental agencies, public groups and private individuals representing a wide range of competing and often conflicting interests.Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR)MissionThe DPCR shall develop, guide and steer a community and service oriented police organization in forging relationship with, informing, persuading, shaping perception of, and mobilizing the communities towards the need for respect for laws, maintenance of peace and orderliness, and safety of environment.

Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR)VisionThe DPCR envisions the evolution of Police Units and Police Officers into a community and service oriented organization working in partnership with a cooperative community towards a peaceful, orderly and harmonious community interactions.

Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR)Objectives and Functions1. To strengthen police-community goodwill and create an environment of friendship between the police on the street and the people.2. To organize the community and forge the team which will forward effort for the establishment of a tourism friendly environment.3. To cultivate and create the tone of a citizen-police partnership to serve the cause of peace and order in the community.

Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR)Objectives and Functions4. To seek the cooperation and active support of the community for crime prevention and control, by creating an unfavorable environment for criminal elements and enemies of the state.5. To mobilize the community to change the conditions that generate crime.6. To facilitate the transition towards proactive policing activities from the reactive incident-driven model.7. To form force-multipliers thru the empowerment of the people towards community involvement.

7Police Community RelationsBenefits and Problems8Benefits of Good Police-Community Relations Greater Cooperation Decreases in Crime & Delinquency More Effective Enforcement Better Communications Better Police Recruitment More Resources Higher Salaries9Problem Aspects of Police-Community Relations Programs Projecting a positive image Irregular contact with citizens Isolated acceptance of PCR unit Limited influence and respect for officers Focus on strained relations & crime prevention10Problem Aspects of Police-Community Relations Programs (cont) Advice on crime prevention from PCR only Police accountability by civilian review boards Chief reacts only to law enforcement concerns Officers focus on racial & ethnic tension11Problem Aspects of Police-Community Relations Programs (cont) Cordial relationship, but superficial trust

Intermittent contact with the public

Officer seldom seen on the streets

Officer is viewed as an outsider

Citizens do not get to know officers

Influence is from the top down12Problem Aspects of Police-Community Relations Programs (cont) No fundamental organizational change

Citizens are encouraged to volunteer

Service providers stay in traditional roles

Success by traditional measuresi.e., crime rates.

Most staff members are sworn personnelNational Crime Prevention Council 13Six Factors Necessary To Improve Police-Community Relations

13The model presented in the next slide outlines a strategy and general principles for convening stakeholders. Remind participants that all strategies must be tailored to local needs and conditions.

National Crime Prevention Council 14The Six FactorsMembershipEnvironmentProcess and StructureCommunicationsPurposeResourcesNational Crime Prevention Council 15MembershipAppropriate cross-section of membersMutual respect, understanding, and trustMembers see that collaboration is in their best interest.Members develop an ability to compromise.National Crime Prevention Council 16EnvironmentPolitical and social climate are favorable.Collaborative group is viewed as a leader in the community.There is a history or evidence of collaboration or cooperation in the community.16You must have your homework done before this can be fully addressed.National Crime Prevention Council 17Process and StructureMembers are invested in the process as well as the outcome.Clear roles and responsibilitiesFlexibilityAdaptabilityEqual decision-making authority is held by each member regardless of rank, authority, or place in the hierarchy.National Crime Prevention Council 18CommunicationMembers learn to listen and allow venting.There is open and frequent communication.Members disclose self interest at first meeting.Members establish informal and formal means of communication. 18Number 1: Venting must be done reasonably.

Number 2: Open and frequent communication is great but be careful that it doesnt become overbearing to the point where people begin to tune the police out.National Crime Prevention Council 19PurposeConcrete, attainable goals and objectivesShared visionDesired results and strategies

National Crime Prevention Council 20ResourcesA skilled and unbiased convener of meetingsStaff time and volunteer timeSufficient funds

20Sometimes (if not always) you may need to locate or seek out your funders.Crime in Your NeighborhoodA lack of community involvement may lead to some of the most serious and perplexing problems your community faces.

National Crime Prevention Council 22Why Is Community Involvement Important?When members of a community are involved with each other, they knowTheir neighborsThe daily goings-on in the neighborhoodWhen something is wrongNational Crime Prevention Council 23One great way to perpetuate community involvement is through the Neighborhood Watch program.

23There should be an understanding that Neighborhood Watch is not an answer to all neighborhood problems and wont work in neighborhoods where there is no open communication or camaraderie among residents.National Crime Prevention Council 24What Is the Neighborhood Watch Program?Neighborhood Watch was established in 1970 to bring residents together to interact and become the guardians for the police in their community.

National Crime Prevention Council 25Neighborhood WatchCrime prevention group organized around a block, defined neighborhood, or business districtServes as eyes and ears for law enforcementHelps establish or reclaim informal control of an area by observation, visibility, and increased social interactionDonates time and resourcesUsually has no formal budget or funding sourceSuccess results in reduction in crime and improved quality of life for neighborhood residents

National Crime Prevention Council 26The Benefits of Neighborhood WatchUnites the community and increases neighborhood cohesion Reduces fear of crime in the community Improves crime reporting by citizensIncreases surveillance in the community Prevents and reduces crime Enhances homeland security

26These are benefits of the Neighborhood Watch program.

Communities that have severe crime problems or that have difficulty in creating a strong Neighborhood Watch program may not see these benefits as quickly as other, better organized communities.

It is not uncommon for neighborhoods to see a rise in reported crime after starting a Neighborhood Watch program. As community members learn what to report and begin to survey the neighborhood more carefully, the number of crimes that are reported may rise even though the actual incidence of crime drops or stays the same. It is important to note this so that groups will not get discouraged.

National Crime Prevention Council 27The Benefits of Neighborhood Watch (continued)Studies show that Neighborhood Watch is effective because

It unites neighbors around a common goalsafety and security. It provides all members basic skills on preventing crime and reporting suspicious activities or crimes.It builds a base for correcting neighborhood problems.It works well with other civic activities. 27Neighborhood Watch gives communities a common cause to work toward and this leads to identifying other common causes while it raises the levels of crime prevention skills and awareness.

Additional Citizen Actions

Discuss your communitys overall security, including lighting, and contact neighbors or the proper authorities to request necessary improvements.

Contact your local law enforcement agency and work with it to discuss basic community modifications that may overcome current problems.

28Utility companies are important stakeholders also.National Crime Prevention Council 29

Are state crime prevention associations and Neighborhood Watch programs involved in community policing and homeland security?Absolutely!29Explain to residents that homeland security is about prevention and awareness. All citizens should know how to secure their homes and garages. Citizens should be vigilant in watching for activity that may support terrorism.

As citizens, we all share the responsibility for reporting and preventing terrorism in our communities. We can be alert and aware of those activities in our neighborhood that may have links to terrorist and criminal behavior.

Remember, terrorism is a crime. Crime prevention addresses both simultaneously.

National Crime Prevention Council 30How Can Citizens Be More Aware? Be informed Be alert Be prepared

30Awareness of local and world events helps increase safety.

Bullet 1: Read the newspaper, listen to or watch local and national news reports, and attend community meetings.

Bullet 2: Be familiar with your environment at home, school, work, church, and social events.

Bullet 3: Have a prepared family plan for emergencies. Create a family first aid kit, attend crime prevention classes, and get involved with your local law enforcement and crime prevention associations.

National Crime Prevention Council 31In ConclusionCommunity policing is the responsibility of both law enforcement and community members. Both have important roles in community policing.

There are many ways to involve the community in crime-reduction and problem solving, including community meetings and citizens police academies.

Police and local citizens are all members of the community.