The concept of community policing
Saidul Islam | Wednesday, 6 August 2008
POLICE for its effective functioning anywhere in the world requires rapport with the ones whom they serve. Policemen are found working in social settings where they are not expected to try and do their professional work with a gruff or alienated mentality. The targets of policemen usually are also parts of a society where the majority of its members can be counted as law-abiding or having an interest in effective policing activities for their safety and well-being in different respects. Therefore, the police can count on the cooperation of the preponderant law abiding members of society to help them identify and inform them of the crime-prone elements and unlawful activities.
But this cooperation for the police is extended where they enjoy the confidence of the people. Recently, some steps have been taken or the promise about doing the same have been made, by the present caretaker government to reform the functioning of the police force. It cannot be said that all misgivings about the police force have disappeared as a result. But the police are, on the whole, a more reformed body sensitive to the needs of the people compared to the past. Thus, people's confidence in the police may have improved to some extent although a great deal more must be done to further develop and consolidate this police-people relationship. The blooming of such a relationship should be of immense help to the police force in carrying out their professional tasks.
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 closer through liaison arrangement with the local police stations. Under this framework, dependable and uncontroversial persons in the locality noted for their integrity of character, have been also brought under a similar relationship with the police. They would 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 types of local criminals. Thus, through 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 lawbreakers closely.
So, the community policing approach appears to have much potential for Bangladesh where policing activities have long suffered the public's negative view of the police. But with the reforms now being carried out or promised to be executed, in the police force, these pro-active measures or would-be ones can aided by bringing the country gradually under community policing. Then, the same will lead to substantial improvement in the perception of the people about police administration as a friendly authority to whom they can have ready access for taking actions against crime and criminals. 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.
But this cooperation for the police is extended where they enjoy the confidence of the people. Recently, some steps have been taken or the promise about doing the same have been made, by the present caretaker government to reform the functioning of the police force. It cannot be said that all misgivings about the police force have disappeared as a result. But the police are, on the whole, a more reformed body sensitive to the needs of the people compared to the past. Thus, people's confidence in the police may have improved to some extent although a great deal more must be done to further develop and consolidate this police-people relationship. The blooming of such a relationship should be of immense help to the police force in carrying out their professional tasks.
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 closer through liaison arrangement with the local police stations. Under this framework, dependable and uncontroversial persons in the locality noted for their integrity of character, have been also brought under a similar relationship with the police. They would 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 types of local criminals. Thus, through 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 lawbreakers closely.
So, the community policing approach appears to have much potential for Bangladesh where policing activities have long suffered the public's negative view of the police. But with the reforms now being carried out or promised to be executed, in the police force, these pro-active measures or would-be ones can aided by bringing the country gradually under community policing. Then, the same will lead to substantial improvement in the perception of the people about police administration as a friendly authority to whom they can have ready access for taking actions against crime and criminals. 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.