Spread of community policing
Monday, 1 February 2010
The concept of community policing is a relatively new one in Bangladesh. But it is a well established system in many countries including the developed ones where the same is noted to be working with much effect. The system basically relies on the concept that police essentially have a role in the community and it must get the wholehearted cooperation of the community which it serves to attain success in its performance. More significantly, the aim of the system is to get the community involved in the functioning of the police. Community policing has been attempted successfully as test cases in some municipal wards in Bangladesh which only goes to show that the potential is there for its countrywide application.
Presently, where community policing has been tried, the chairmen and members of the wards have been brought under a close relationship with the local police stations. Under this framework, dependable and uncontroversially accepted persons in the locality noted for their integrity of character, have been also brought under a similar relationship with the police. They meet regularly to discuss law and order problems in the area, get feedbacks about police's performance and provide information on the whereabouts of all sorts of local criminals. Thus, from getting such information and supports, police are able to do their work with efficiency. They can be proactive in preventing crimes before their happening and watch over the likely law breakers closely.
Thus, the community policing approach appears to have much potential for Bangladesh where policing activities have long suffered from a negative view of the police held by people in general. The spread of the community policing methods can be mutually beneficial for both the people and the police. So, its expansion needs to be seriously considered.
Mostafa Anwar
Zikatala, Dhaka
Presently, where community policing has been tried, the chairmen and members of the wards have been brought under a close relationship with the local police stations. Under this framework, dependable and uncontroversially accepted persons in the locality noted for their integrity of character, have been also brought under a similar relationship with the police. They meet regularly to discuss law and order problems in the area, get feedbacks about police's performance and provide information on the whereabouts of all sorts of local criminals. Thus, from getting such information and supports, police are able to do their work with efficiency. They can be proactive in preventing crimes before their happening and watch over the likely law breakers closely.
Thus, the community policing approach appears to have much potential for Bangladesh where policing activities have long suffered from a negative view of the police held by people in general. The spread of the community policing methods can be mutually beneficial for both the people and the police. So, its expansion needs to be seriously considered.
Mostafa Anwar
Zikatala, Dhaka