Community Policing

Excerpt from AZ Republic

Fortunately, today's community-policing concepts are nothing like they were 30 years ago. Chiefs of police recognize the importance of building relationships with the communities they serve. This is because community policing has been proven to reduce the crime rate. We also know that the bonds made between citizens and their officers develop feelings of trust and security.

Chiefs need to be innovative in creating their programs. Not everyone will be willing to support these efforts with time or money. What's partially to blame for this is that for many years police business became too inward-looking instead of forward-looking.

Another factor has been that team policing concepts are often discussed but not always practiced. This must change if we are to build sustainable communities that are safe.

I'm inspired by legendary police commissioner and former sheriff Johannes Spreen, who, while working in Detroit during the tense racial times of the late '60s stated, "It takes a team, you and your police." His community -partnership approach encouraged people to work together, and it was successful.