Community policing complements and completes traditional policing in many ways, as demonstrated in Jasper, Texas, over a ten year span. The unfortunate murder of James Byrd sparked the need for police to fill a community policing role. The community fell back upon the existing leaders in the community, the “Ministerial Alliance”. The sheriff became the catalyst, forging a unity in the citizens of the community with the leaders, by relaying quick and consistently correct information. The efficiency with which the sheriff communicated the information from the police and town council to the community, in and of itself, squelched fear, and inspired unity between the community and the police. For example, the sheriff warned the community through the community leaders of a Klu Klux Klan rally, and suggested that shop owners close their stores early and for citizens to stay in their homes and off the streets, as a result, the many rallies that took place caused only insignificant crime. The sheriff led the community through a myriad of problems: Media bias against the town, Black Panther rallies, NAACP rallies, and more. He accomplished this feat by decisive action, problem solving, community involvement, and quick, efficient communication. (Wicke & Silver, 2009).
The example of Jasper, Texas also provides much information about community policing. Community policing complements traditional policing, for instance, information provided by the leaders of the community, fellow citizens, though received separately was accurate, timely, and identical. This attribute and others, drew all members into an alliance to solve problems before they arise. These policing strategies foster organizational ethical behavior.
The situation in Jasper, Texas shows that ethical behavior is encouraged through everyone filling their individual and group roles in the team. The police filled the traditional role of processing information, problem-solving, and fighting crime. The community filled the role of gathering information they in essence were ‘senses’ for the police: Seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, and tasting the trouble and reporting to the police. Police officers were held accountable for corruption fostering ethical behavior inside the police unit, and directly applying to the ethical conduct of the citizens. Due to this dynamic, citizens didn’t have to fight crime or fear injustice from police corruption, and police didn’t have to gather all the information themselves.
Consider a less ideal situation: Police attempting to gather information from uncooperative citizens. The police would, more often than not, have doors slammed in their face. After hours of attempting to gather information, the police officer has little or no information for the effort. It is inefficient and ineffective for police to cross this line. Citizens attempting to fight crime, in groups, or individually without the physical, marksmanship, ethical, and moral training are ill-equipped to investigate and respond, especially without the authority to arrest. Chaos, fear, and injustice will quickly result.
Community policing, as effective it was used in Jasper, Texas, is only a part of policing that presumes ethical law enforcement and ethical citizens. For the unethical police and citizens the traditional role of policing is required. In a perfect world perhaps Community policing could do the job by itself, but this is not a perfect world.
Community policing was taught to Second Battalion, Second Marines (2/2)(infantry), of the 2D Marine Division, before deploying to Iraq. The phrase: “Winning the hearts and minds” became an abbreviated slogan, as operations were planned and implemented. It meant solving the problems in their communities as well. Water, food, batteries, cell phones, and many other goods and devices were purchased and given, gratis, to solve the problems of the local communities. I sat down with a sheik (pronounced “Shake”) to a meal the locals prepared as our commanding officer discussed the communities problems with the sheik, with the input of the officers in his staff. These are examples of the community policing tactics that were used all throughout the Al-Anbar province in Iraq.
References
Wicke, T., & Silver, R. C. (2009). A community responds to collective trauma: An ecological analysis of the james byrd murder in jasper, texas. American Journal of Community Psychology, 44(3-4), 233-48. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10464-009-9262-8
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