What is Community Policing

Safety is one of the most important values for people, and cooperation between the police and the community is the best way to ensure it. This interaction is known by the English term Community Policing (CoP).

It involves the police working with regard to residents' views on public order issues in each specific district, village, town, and so on.

Community Policing is continuous cooperation between the police, residents, and local authorities. The main goal of such interaction is to create a shared safe space.

What does cooperation between the police and the community involve?

The Community Policing approach is built on the principles of ongoing communication, where:

  • the police and the local community are jointly responsible for safety;
  • the police respond to local needs and demands identified by the community;
  • communication between residents and the police is effective and thus produces tangible results;
  • the approach to resolving each local problem is tailored;
  • cooperation aims to prevent offenses and develop preventive action plans.

CoP is not a standalone program or a separate police department or station. It is an approach to the police's daily work.

Why does the community need Community Policing?

Developing Community Policing offers a number of benefits to residents of particular communities. Specifically:

  • residents report safety problems to the police and together seek solutions to resolve them;
  • The local police take residents' opinions into account when planning their work. Based on this information, local safety-improvement programs are developed;
  • Communication with residents takes place through innovative platforms. Online platforms, 'crime maps' are created, themed meetings are held, and joint initiatives are launched. These channels help residents receive prompt responses to their inquiries and more effectively address safety issues.
  • Through closer communication and cooperation between residents and the police, people clearly understand what the police do, their role, rights, and responsibilities;
  • Focusing on the root causes of crime makes it possible to prevent them in advance;
  • The community monitors police activity and receives up-to-date information about the local safety situation;
  • The measure of the police's performance is how it addresses the safety problems identified by residents. Assessment is also provided by community representatives, local authorities, and independent experts.

Guided by the principle 'protect yourself not with a fence but with good neighbors,' people choose to live where it is safe. It is safe where Community Policing works effectively. Moreover, such homes become a sound investment for owners. Developing police-community cooperation means a safe neighborhood, a safe town, a safe city.

Why do local authorities need Community Policing?

Responsible local authorities are always interested in maintaining law and order in their area. The welfare of people depends on the level of community safety. Quick and effective response to crimes ensures residents' protection. Preventive work reduces the number of offenses and crimes in the future. That is why the role of local authorities in developing Community Policing is very important:

  • Local authorities, together with residents, identify locations in the city, village, or town that are dangerous for people;
  • Local authorities respond to citizens' requests to improve safety with concrete actions, which increases trust in them;
  • Local authorities set development priorities for the city (territory) that matter to residents and provide an effective plan to achieve those goals;
  • A safe area is more attractive for investment projects, which makes it possible to attract external funds for developing cities and towns;
  • The safer a city or village is, the more comfortable it is for tourists, who bring additional income to the community.

Example of cooperation between local authorities and the Police:

Municipal improvement officers, together with the police, patrol the streets, detect and stop illegal street trading. A “municipal squad” in the city centre monitors order during mass events. When offences are observed, they call a patrol.

Why does the police need community policing?

Police are part of the community they are meant to protect. They ensure wrongdoers receive lawful punishment.

However, modern police should base their work on the needs of the local community. The need for cooperation between the police and the public on a partnership basis is set outin the Law of Ukraine "On the National Police"..

Why were these provisions adopted and why should the police develop interaction with the community:

  • By involving people (for example, joint patrolling, area surveillance and timely notification of patrols), the police more effectively prevent new offences. As a result, the amount of work related to responding to committed offences and investigating crimes decreases;
  • Cooperating with active residents allows the police to secure community support and build trust between officers and the public;
  • Addressing problems that concern the community helps form a positive image of the police;
  • By cooperating with the community, the police increase residents' awareness of their work (for example, about the limits of police authority or alternative ways to resolve issues). This, in turn, reduces the burden onthe patrol police..

In which countries does community policing operate?

The principle of community policing has been implemented and works effectively in countries such as Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

In many countries there is the neighborhood watch practice. Residents of a neighbourhood or an apartment block's courtyard form groups, take shifts and patrol the area. For example, they keep an eye on parked cars or playgrounds. If they spot something suspicious or dangerous, they call the police.

In Ukraine, the POLiS programme from the international organisation IREX operates. Themed meetings between police and community members are held in libraries and other institutions. These meetings let the community understand police powers and ask any questions, even those not related to police work. This brings the community closer to police officers.