Community Engaged Policing

When was the last time you heard police discussions about involving the community in helping to address crime problems? Has technology replaced the need to interact face to face with the public? Is public interaction important anyway? All of these questions will be answered in this proven course.

This course was designed to emphasize and demonstrate how to accomplish a better relationship by engaging the community as partners in problem solving, prevention and enforcement. Using a toolbox approach, this strategy, emphasized not only which tool to use but when and for how long. One size and one approach does not fit all. Few law enforcement agencies can afford officers to be on the scene of a problem neighborhood around the clock. Citizens must come to recognize their value and obligation in assisting in policing. The community must be empowered and that begins with developing trust and collaboration on an equal footing.

After receiving this training and implementing Community Engaged Policing strategies, Martinsville, Virginia saw a decrease in violent crime from 2014-2016 of 59 percent and property crime dropped by 26 percent. Recognizing the community as a partner and a stakeholder in success can lead to similar results for other cities and towns.

Course Objectives:

• The student will recognize the cause and effect of changing policing models historically, and how all were a result of community involvement.
• The student will identify the importance of developing and maintaining a trust relationship with the law-abiding community, as well as demonstrate through practical exercises, the means of developing trust, while not neglecting the need for personal safety and enforcement actions.
• The student will learn and demonstrate knowledge of how to implement a balanced approach to problem solving methodology, use of enforcement in problem solving, methods of developing community support and partnerships.