7.7 Chapter Conclusion
Summary
Who holds the key to the future regarding relations between the police and the communities 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 that they are keepers of the peace and not at war with those in their community. Although not easy, it is essential that those in law enforcement be situationally aware of potential threats to their health and safety. This is especially true when they are doing their best to remain calm and neutral in highly charged emotional settings. Officers must be excellent listeners and problem-solvers; they must 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 and dangerous, and it requires a combination of resourcefulness, empathy, physical and mental fitness, dexterity, and knowledge of legal actions. Above all, the police 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 that, for all that has been accomplished in the past, a whole new policing landscape is on the horizon. That said, policing will retain its common denominators: effective problem-solving; focused investigations; detailed reports; thorough interviews of suspects, witnesses, and victims; and service to the community. Doing these things well with honesty and integrity, assisted by the latest advances in upgraded equipment, will form the basis of gaining and maintaining the trust of those we serve.
Review Questions
- Explain what challenges police and administrators face 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 the essential requirements of a successful social contract between the police and the community they serve?
- What are some factors police administrators must consider when investigating an officer’s action that could lead to the officer’s decertification?
- Explain the differences between presumptive and conclusive testing. Where would these types of testing be conducted?
- In review of uses of force, are the terms “reasonable” and “necessary” equivalent or are they different? Explain.
- Explain the differences between a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 citizen’s claim for damages and a similar claim made under Bivens.
- Do you believe that communities sometimes 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 with 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 criminal justice leaders face as we emerge from the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic?
Further Reading
Kendi, I. X. (2019). How to be an antiracist. 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.
