It is no surprise that there is existing tension between both law enforcement and surrounding communities. The lack of trust in one another had the outcome of shooting unarmed African Americans and also police officers also being harmed. The utilization of social media has caused the distrust of police officers and has spread like wildfire inside of the United States. Technology has contributed to displaying negative occurrences between individuals and police officers. Across the United States, citizens are to most likely view terrible encounters rather than look at the positivity from law enforcement. There are also people from different groups in the community who believe they are guilty by association or by their ethnicity. When it is wrongly approached, it destroys the trust required to create safety for both the community and law enforcement who protect the community. Although law enforcement is committed to ensuring the safety of the community, there are some approaches needed to improve relationships with the community.
Citizens inside the community usually place more on how law enforcement utilizes authority instead of how the power is utilized. According to Meares (2017), “In other words, the relationship between the public and how authorities make decisions is inherently relational instead of instrumental” (p.1361). A way to progress a relationship between law enforcement and the community is to help individuals see that police officers utilize their power with fair procedures. Procedural justice is a solution to deciding if the community will view law enforcement as acting fairly. Also, the relationship can be improved with participation and voices inside the community. Having the opportunity to engage with police officers will allow community members to share and explain their present concerns. Next, citizens consider it to be crucial to how law enforcement treats others. People want to be treated with respect and dignity when having an encounter with the police. Lastly, creating community events can aid in strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and the community. An example of an event is Coffee with a Cop. Community events will allow the opportunity for unity in discussing local issues in a neutral environment. This event will give the chance for individuals to ask essential questions and better comprehend law enforcement utilized in neighborhoods. Most of the time when one encounters police officers, an emergency or dangerous situation is occurring. At these moments, they are not usually the right time to create a relationship with those in the surrounding environment. Individuals inside of the community during these situations view law enforcement as unapproachable. Having a personal conversation allows barriers to be broken down and to better understand one another.
In conclusion, although law enforcement is committed to ensuring the safety of the community, there are some approaches needed to improve relationships with the community. Communities’ approval of comparative ethics as a contribution to criminal justice has a possibility of backfiring and displaying the wrong message. Wrongful messages can include minimal boundaries that are put on employee actions who have authority in the criminal justice field. Ethics the majority of the time contains policies of fair and honest behavior; is defined as conscience, the capability of realizing right from wrong, and actions that are suitable. Today there has been tension amongst many due to the tragic events connected with police shootings. Amending this relationship can improve safety and degree a hostile environment.
References
- Bethune-Cookman University Criminal Justice Program Leads the Way: Effective Law Enforcement and Community Engagement, (2017, Aug 07). Targeted News Service Retrieved from https://csuglobal.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.csuglobal.idm.oclc.org/docview/1927174743?accountid=38569
- Have Coffee with a Cop. (2014, Dec 15). Targeted News Service Retrieved from https://csuglobal.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.csuglobal.idm.oclc.org/docview/1636406631?accountid=38569
- Meares, T. L. (2017). The Path Forward: Improving the Dynamics of Community-Police Relationships to Achieve Effective Law Enforcement Policies, Columbia Law Review, 117(5), 1355-1368. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.csuglobal.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=123488740&site=ehost-live
- Peak, K. J. (2017). Introduction to Criminal Justice: Practice and Process. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.
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Improving Police-Community Relations: Critical Essay.
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