Toolbox community policing

Belinda Wijckmans, EUCPN Secretariat EUCPN Board Meeting II Cyprus

Nicosia, 6 December 2012

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EUCPN Secretariat

With financial support from the Prevention of and Fight against Crime Programme of the European Union

European Commission – Directorate-General Home Affairs

1. Toolbox CoP • Current theme under Cyprus Presidency

• Theoretical + practical part

• Output = toolbox:

– Thematic paper on CoP + list of good practices (ECPA)

– Results World Café on community policing

– Use of CoP, specific focus on radicalisation (EU priority): recommendations based on ‘expert’ discussion: strengths & weaknesses, challenges, opportunities, etc.

• Aim(s)

• Methodology

2. Concepts - CoP • Broad term and wide range of implementations

• Definition(s)

“A policing philosophy that promotes community-based problem-solving strategies to address the underlying causes of crime and disorder and the fear of crime. The stated intention of community policing is to enhance the quality of life of local

communities.” (Sage Dictionary of Criminology, 2001)

“…it is an approach to policing that emphasises the role of police from a force that “does policing to the people” to a service

that “works for and with the people.” (White & McEvoy, 2012 – QIASS paper)

2. Concepts - Radicalisation • Complex concept – complex process

• Definition(s)

“Radicalization refers to an increase in and/or reinforcing of extremism in the thinking, sentiments, and/or behavior of individuals and/or groups of individuals.” (Mandel, 2010)

A process, a growing willingness to make drastic changes in society (themselves or by supporting others)(Gielen, 2008)

But NOT necessarily leading to violence, extremism/terrorism

And NOT linked to one specific (political or religious) ideology

2. Concepts - Radicalisation • EU Commission

“Terrorist radicalisation and recruitment are not confined to one faith or political ideology. This is best demonstrated by the fact that Europe has experienced different types of terrorism in its history. It is important to underline that the

vast majority of Europeans, irrespective of belief or political conviction, reject terrorist ideology. Even among

the small number of people that do not reject such ideology, only a few turn to terrorism. Preventing terrorist radicalisation and recruitment will only work if we remain

fully dedicated to respecting fundamental rights, promoting integration and cultural dialogue and fighting

discrimination.”

3. CoP & Radicalisation • EU Commission:

“Radicalisation that can lead to acts of terrorism is best contained at a level closest to the most vulnerable individuals. It requires close cooperation with local

authorities and civil society.”

• QIASS-paper (White & McEvoy, 2012)

– Prevention by multi-agency partnerships, community engagement and involvement = dialogue & collaboration.

“[CoP] is becoming increasingly recognized as a critical method of preventing radicalization, which can lead to engagement or re-engagement in violent extremism.”

3. CoP & Radicalisation • QIASS-paper (White & McEvoy, 2012)

– Success depends on trust, mutual understanding and respect

– Local knowledge of fundamental importance BUT more than just ‘eyes and ears’ of the police!

– Challenges:

• Intelligence-led approach <> CoP

• Power relations between police and ‘the policed’

• Shift of power away from the police towards the community itself

4. Participants Name Organisation Country

Claus Els Local police zone Brussels-West Belgium

Devos Jean-Pierre Federal Police – CoPPRa project Belgium

Out Rob Police - CoPPRa Project The Netherlands

De Wit Hans Police The Netherlands

O’Mahony Jonathan Police – An Garda Síochána – Garda Racial and Intercultural Diversity Unit

Ireland

D’Hulster Sofie Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism

Belgium

Simcock Kelly Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN) Prevent UK

Gadzinowski Damian European Commission (DG Home Affairs) – Unit A1: Crisis management and fight against terrorism

EU Hyvrier Olivia

Johansen Karen-Lise Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration – Division for Democratic Issues

Denmark

Weiszer Andrea Ministry of Interior - Department of European Cooperation

Hungary

4. Participants

5. Agenda

9h – 9h30 Arrival & Registration

9h30 – 10h30 Welcome & Introduction to the workshop

- Short introduction of the EUCPN and the Secretariat

- Introduction to the topic of the workshop: thematic context, intended

outcome and methodology

- Round table

10h 30– 11h Presentation: the CoPPRa project (BE)

Jean-Pierre Devos (Project Manager) and Rob Out

11h – 11h15 Coffee Break

11h15 – 12h30 Discussion

12h30– 13h30 Lunch break

13h30 – 14h Presentation - Methods for working with Radicalisation: Relational work and

mentoring (DK)

Karen-Lise Johansen Karman (Deputy head of Division for Democratic

issues - Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration)

14h – 15h Discussion

15h15 - 15h15 Coffee Break

15h15 - 16h Closing of the workshop and conclusions

6. Results expert group • Main approach of the concepts:

Community police into practice “Know the community you are working in.” [CoPPRa]

“Prevention (i.e. pro-action) instead of re-action.” [Mentoring]

Community policing & radicalisation

• Human rights:

How to deal with the diversity in society and distinguish this from the process of radicalisation?

“Believing is not illegal.”

• Follow-up

• Transferability

• Evaluation

Community policing into practice “Police on a bicycle is not CoP.”

• Gap between theory & practice

Lack of definition

Various strategies, projects & practices

• Philosophy or attitude

Reframe people’s ideas

Start at the basics!

“Policing is more than just ‘catching the bad guys’!”

CoP and Radicalisation “All incidents are local or at least will start that way.”

• Partnerships (‘horizontal approach’)

• Trust & legitimacy

• Communication

• Broad view

• Skills and training

• Prevention

Profile for a good CoP-officer

“A community police officer has to be a pshychologist, a social worker,… a priest even.”

• Basic social skills

• Professionalism

• Integrated in community

• Respecting human rights

Thank you for your attention!

Toolbox community policing

eucpn@ibz.eu – www.eucpn.org

EUCPN Board Meeting II Cyprus

Nicosia, 6 December 2012

***

EUCPN Secretariat

With financial support from the Prevention of and Fight against Crime Programme of the European Union

European Commission – Directorate-General Home Affairs