Exploring the limits of collaboration in community policing

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide direct comparisons between the views of citizens and officers within a jurisdiction that has been largely influenced by the community‐oriented policing movement. Comparisons between police and citizen views are specifically made in terms of: the relative importance of crime problems in the jurisdiction; the value of community policing programs; overall satisfaction with the performance of the department; and strategies designed to improve the performance of the department.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology of the study is officer and citizen surveys.FindingsOfficers and citizens significantly differed in their assessment of the importance of specific crime problems in the jurisdiction, the value of community policing programs, the degree to which they were satisfied with the performance of the department, and their assessment of improvement strategies. These differences are discussed within the context of previous literature that has focused on the implementation and continued acceptance of community policing.Research limitations/implicationsFindings are derived from surveys conducted in one jurisdiction. Findings are limited to the degree that citizen/officer views within this jurisdiction differ from those found elsewhere.Originality/valueThe study utilizes seldom‐used concurrent surveys of officers and citizens within a single jurisdiction. The method allows for the direct comparison of police and citizen views. Thus, this paper provides evidence regarding the feasibility of collaboration between police and citizens, and the continued viability of community‐oriented strategies.

The challenges of police-community collaboration: identity manoeuvres and power struggles in a neighbourhood based meeting

“…Moreover, and not surprisingly, power relations are asymmetrical, with the police tending to have a greater ability to influence agendas and procedures (Skogan 2006;Terpestra 2009). Thus, it may be impossible to develop the higher quality forms of participation within alienated and deprived communities (Liederbach et al 2007), where interactions often involve heightened emotions (Komporozos-Athanasiou and Thompson 2015).…”

Comparing Police and Public Perceptions of a Routine Traffic Encounter

“…The police and public may have different views of the same policing event, although this is rarely investigated in a rigorous manner. For example, surveys are rarely administered to both police and citizens at the same time (Liederbach et al, 2008). However, Lopez and Lukinbeal (2010) conducted in-depth interviews with 38 citizens and 5 police officers surrounding their views on crime areas in Phoenix.…”

“…It aims to increase trust between the two groups and enhance citizen perceptions (Frank et al., 2005). Gaining an understanding of the interactions that occur between police and citizens, and subsequent citizen perceptions, is therefore vital as many of the strategies and approaches used by police assume that both groups are acting together to address common goals (Liederbach, Fritsch, Carter, & Bannister, 2008).…”

Community Policing and the Limits of the Bureaucratic State

“…Many of the operational police in this study did not have a strong commitment to partnership activities, seeing it as not relevant to their work. Consistent with reported research (Liederback et al 2007), they assigned a greater importance to traditional crime problems and privileged traditional law enforcement practices as the most appropriate response to security and safety in the community. The dominance of command and control policing structures tended to limit the possibilities for community policing initiatives (Somerville 2009).…”