7.7 Chapter Conclusion
Summary
Who holds the key to the future regarding relations between the police and the community they serve? For both sides, the answer lies in the development, nurturing and sharing of sincere, mutual trust. While officers must be carefully selected, highly trained, and well-equipped, they must also remember they are keepers of the peace, and not at war with their constituents. It is not easy, but is essential, to be situationally aware of potential threats to your health and safety. This is especially true when doing your best to remain calm and neutral in highly-charged, emotional settings. Officers must be excellent listeners and problem-solvers, and be vigilant against becoming jaded or complacent. While we cannot fix past transgressions of police against community members, officers can (and should) learn from them. Community members must also realize that the work of officers is highly stressful, dangerous, and requires a combination of resourcefulness, empathy, physical and mental fitness, dexterity, and knowledge of legal actions. Above all, they must be responsible and accountable for their actions, requiring highly ethical and professional conduct at all times.
Where will the world of policing be in five years? Ten? Twenty? The rapid application of science and technology to the world of criminal justice means, for all that has been accomplished in the past, a whole new policing landscape is on the horizon. That said, policing will still be boiled down to its common denominators: effective problem-solving, conducting focused investigations and preparing thorough reports, asking many questions of suspects, witnesses and victims, and serving the community. Doing these things well, with honesty, integrity, and assisted by the latest and greatest advances in upgraded equipment, will form the basis of gaining and maintaining the trust of those we serve.
Review Questions
- Explain what challenges face police and administrators in meeting the varied needs of their community. Do you think these challenges can be addressed by a “one size fits all” model? What solutions might you propose as best practices in community policing?
- What do you believe are essential requirements of a “social contract” between police and the community they serve, in order to be successful?
- What are some factors police administrators must take into consideration when investigating an officer’s action which may lead to the officer’s decertification?
- Explain the differences between presumptive and conclusive testing. Where are the likely locations where testing would occur?
- In review of uses of force, are the terms “reasonable” and “necessary” equivalent, or are they different? Explain.
- Explain the differences between a Title 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 citizen’s claim for damages, and a similar claim made under the Bivens analogy.
- Do you believe that sometimes the community have unrealistic expectations of the police? Do you further believe that the expectations of the community are in conflict with those of police leadership? How can the expectations be managed, or reconciled, to achieve a realistic level of satisfaction of police services?
- Define “necessary” within the scope of a police use of force investigation.
- Explain the “slippery slope” model as it relates to potential officer misconduct.
- How has “Pandemic fatigue” affected public safety officers in the performance of their duties? What are some challenges faced by criminal justice leadership as we emerge from the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic?
Further Reading
Kendi, I. X. (2019). How to be an anti-racist. One World Publishing.
Patrick, U. W., & Hall, J. C. (2017). In defense of self and others… Issues, facts & fallacies—The realities of law enforcement’s use of deadly force (3rd ed.). Carolina Academic Press.
Peak, K. J., & Glensor, R. W. (2012). Community policing and problem solving: Strategies and practices (6th ed.). Pearson.
