Answer

Question 1. As presented in the textbook, discuss the new strategies in policing that emerged during the community-oriented policing era, from the 1980’s to 9/11 of 2001. Describe their effects on modern American policing.

Community-Oriented Policing

            Policing has evolved to cover both crime-fighting and community services. The traditional policing model based on random patrol is ineffective and reactive in crime reduction. Community policing, on the other hand, offers a strong philosophical model currently used by US police agencies (Swanson et al., 2017). Community policing can be described as an amorphous philosophy penetrating into every police department aspect. Since the adoption of community policing in 1990, American police departments have incorporated and implemented various elements of community policing to create appropriate strategies and tactics for each city. This paper seeks to evaluate new strategies in policing that emerged since the adoption of community policing from the 1980’s to 9/11 of 2001 and their impact on modern day policing in America.

New Policing Strategies

One of the new strategies that emerged during the community oriented policing era is evidence base policing. Evidence-based policing aims at providing sound empirical evidence to the authorities to facilitate informed decision making regarding programs and policies (Swanson et al., 2017). The best research available on police work outcomes is conducted to facilitate the implementation of pre-set guidelines and evaluate various policing officers, units, and agencies. Rather than focusing on the method of doing police work, evidence-based policing employs a scientific method of identification, implementation, evaluation, and modification of the most effective crime reduction techniques.

Another strategy is hot spot policing, which is similar to evidence-based policing in its use of empirical data to indicate that crime is not dispersed randomly, but is rampant in specific areas. This strategy helps in the identification of hot-spot areas where crimes are higher than normal rates and there are more crime and disorder-related issues. Hot spot areas are channeled with more policing resources and hence, reduce the occurrence of predatory crimes (Walsh & Vito, 2018).

            Intelligence-led policing also emerged to provide a process of information organization to help policing agencies understand problems arising from crimes to determine the best strategy that can be employed to control crime (Swanson et al., 2017). Criminal intelligence analysis is used as a means of accomplishing prevention and reduction of crime through effective partnerships and best practices.

            In addition, the era saw emergence of saturation and directed patrols strategy which entails common policing strategies where police are directed to patrol in specific localities with additional officers assigned to hot-spot areas (Swanson et al., 2017). This strategy is used as a proactive enforcement measure in a problematic environment at periods of high risk. The police are expected to arrest offenders as a means of crime reduction and reduce gang violence (Walsh & Vito, 2018).

            Finally, predictive policing uses analytical tools and information to proactively deal with disorder and crime while utilizing few resources (Swanson et al., 2017). Predictive policing is an improvement of intelligence-led policing, but also a reflection of evidence-based and problem-oriented principles. Information is used to direct patrol and ensure a rapid response. Artificial intelligence and advanced statistics are used to examine and evaluate available information and data used to predict policing sequences through crime mapping, and prediction and combating future crimes, and data mining (Walsh & Vito, 2018).

Effect on Modern America Policing

            The five strategies discussed in the previous paragraphs changed the way modern policing is done in America. For instance, intelligence-led policing gained popularity in recent years because it is highly effective compared to traditional policing models (Swanson et al., 2017). Besides, it offers sophisticated information retrieval and analysis technologies that inform decision making approaches. Community policing through targeted policing has also improved how police handle crimes by avoiding generalization (Walsh & Vito, 2018). This implies that police work on every crime as an isolated incident (Swanson et al., 2017). The strategy has been effective in reducing fear of crime and actual crime.

            In conclusion, policing strategies have evolved considerably with the emergence of community policing. More tactical and crime control and reduction strategies have been developed that are based on information and evidence to replace random patrols. Besides, information technology has been adopted in various policing strategies as a data analytics tool. This has made community policing an efficient model in the modern era.