The Essence of Community Policing
Community policing is a method of increasing police presence to provide a heightened assurance of safety throughout local communities. Community policing is especially important in crime-infected areas, specifically those prone to violent attacks and muggings. By placing uniformed patrolmen hired by the State, America’s streets will be assured to be more controlled; thus reducing instances of crime. Professors Peter J. Benekos and Alida V. Merlo write that “When the problem is crime, one of the first responses is to think about the police,” (Benekos & Merlo, p. 35). Black’s Law Dictionary defines the term Community Policing as, “[a] law enforcement technique in which police officers are assigned to a particular neighborhood or area to develop relationships with the residence for the purpose of enhancing the chances of detecting and thwarting criminal activity,” (Garner, B., p. 349). Benekos and Merlo add that “[t]he most recent reform in policing has been the promotion of the community policing ‘philosophy,’” (Benekos & Merlo, p. 45).
Conversely, there is a less favorable potentiality incurred alongside its benefit: man’s propensity to sin; thus, the exploitation of authority unto man. The normalization of increased police presence entices maleficent forces within the bureaucratic establishment to usurp individual sovereignty, to establish greater levels of increased security. Most importantly, as witnessed by America on June 13th, 2024; the citizen cannot always rely on police protection (nor the United States Secret Service) to protect them during times of crisis. For this reason, man ought to be prepared to work alongside his neighbor to bolster the safety of his community. The citizen who relies on state-funded police for his "protection," denies himself to opportunity to place his faith in God. Moreover, he denies his community sovereignty from the expansion of government intervention. Every individual willing to bear obligation to sustain proactive oversight alongside his brethren; preserves the autonomy of his community for posterity. Yet those who rely solely on police power, themselves seem to decrease the willingness to stand against opposition without the state physically intervening. But when these individuals themselves become opposition to the state, as witnessed by citizens discarded as “non-essential” during the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic. Thus, the citizenry must oppose the encroachment of tyranny when it violates the natural order established by God.
Skepticisms of Community Policing
An increased police presence isn’t always a good thing. Police, are people; thus, have an inherent propensity to abuse increased liberties and authority. Some crime-infested areas, prone to criminal activity—like New York City subway stations—welcome greater police presence. Yet, there arrives a point where society becomes militarized; as seen in Kathy Hochul’s implementation the National Guard to curtail criminal offenders in subway stations (Governor). There must exist a balance that allows citizens to exercise their sovereignty, whilst allowing for civic engagement in local communities.
One important factor to note: in any profession there will always be maleficent forces that abuse the powers and authorities they have been given. A Governor or Mayor that militarizes civic society; detracts from the enjoyment of everyday existence. This therefore presents a persistent detriment to the population, whereby detached lawmakers can radically amplify the authority of the police. In the least favorable light, policymakers can implement positivist policies, tyrannizing the population; as witnessed during the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic. In New York City, policymakers rallied together to weaponize the police against the citizenry, allowing only workers deemed “essential” by the state. This inverted Republic required citizens to comply with whatever measures policymakers saw fit to implement. This mismanagement of law enforcement was not only a waste of money and time, but jeopardized people’s lives; forcing them to inject an experimental vaccine to participate in society and gain access to public resources. In this way, police may be used in communities, to corral its citizens to behave in a specific manner that benefits the state, no matter the risk to their health. The normalization of police presence, create a system of militarization unnoticeable by citizens until activated by bureaucracy to advance a particular agenda, no matter the consequence. Therefore, despite the need for police presence in crime-ridden areas; citizens must remember they are extensions of the state. The state is the government. The government has been hijacked by nefarious bureaucracy. Americans ought not consider the classic image of police power. This “classic image” warns Peter J. Benekos, not only “misinforms public expectations, [but] distorts understanding of the police, and disappoints police recruits,” (Benekos & Merlo, p. 35).
Impact Of Politics And Political Pressure.
Politics has imparted pressure over community policing throughout American history. David L. Carter of from Michigan State University indicated in 1995 report titled Politics and Community Policing: Variables of Change the Political Environment, that “the probability for greater political support will increase if credit is given where it is not due,” (Carter, D., p. 14). Carter explained that “[t]his is not to sound fatalistic but as a realistic strategy to gain political support. If there is a political advocate showing some support for a new activity, maximize that support in any pronouncements by pointing to that individual's leadership and commitment,” (Carter, D., p. 14).
Benekos and Merlo write that “[a]s politicians keep the focus on crime reduction as a salient political issue and take credit for the effectiveness of get-tough, law-and-order criminal justice policies, the pressure on police administrators to demonstrate success (i.e., more decline in crime) will increase,” (Benekos & Merlo, p. 48). Benekos notes that oftentimes “[p]olice become politicized[,] as the rhetoric of crime control obscures the parameters and limits of law enforcement,” (Benekos & Merlo, p. 39).
Author L.T. Winfree, Jr., notes that the concept of “[t]eam policing is an example of a good idea rushed into practice in cities like Cincinnati and Boston. A study of the New York City Police Department’s team policing program found that it was doomed to failure by a lack of proper funding and poor training for involved personnel,” (Winfree, Jr., L.T., p. 96). It seems that good intentions are crafted by policymakers, yet often rushed into operation, thus presenting detriment to all participants involved in—or subjected to—its scheme. But this ought not be the totality of public policy; as policy is a dual-edged sword that best be wielded in the image of God. Man ought to utilize personal conduct in a manner subject to his community; precluding the need for enhanced policy initiatives.
Congressional Objectives
Bryon Johnson writes, that the role of Congress is to find out what works. Johnson records that, “[i]n 1996 Congress commissioned a report to determine the effectiveness of Department of Justice (DOJ) funding and the most appropriate way to use funding for the future,” (Johnson, B., p. 22). Johnson continues, that “Congress essentially wanted to determine which of the approaches to preventing crime worked, and which did not, and which were promising,” (Johnson, B., p. 22).
But Congressional Representatives do little to commit themselves to more than creating biennial crises; only to be remedied by reelection, and permanent incumbency. This leaves 100 Senators; whose job, though elected, is to best represent the interests of the State. Thus, the states are left to formulate their own solutions within reason of their annual budget. But States should not craft society in a way that best suits their interests. America is a land forged by its citizens; thus government stands secondary to the body it is intended to represent. Individual responsibility to control the crime within one’s community makes for a far more intimidating environment for potential criminals to commit crimes. Boston utilized this methodology to construct a program that shaped the city for good, changing the essence of civic life for posterity.
The Boston Miracle
One State that has shown promise in its policy is Massachusetts. In response to Boston’s record level “152 homicides and 1,000 aggravated assaults” reported in 1990; the city knew it needed to find a solution. As a result of multiple efforts, an “unprecedented series of partnerships and cooperative work on the part of the entire city,” occurred, and would become known as the Boston Miracle, (Johnson, B., p. 13). The changes it produced were remarkable—and these effects were not reduced by incarceration or legal incapacitation. Byron Johnson writes that as a result of these combined efforts, “[d]uring the 1990s, the number of homicides in Boston dropped dramatically from a high of 152 in 1990 to 31 in 1999,” (Johnson, B., p. 18). Beyond its initial considerations, Boston’s program grew to the reduce crime and violence throughout the city. Johnson writes, that “[s]ince 1992 the faith community has remained the central figure in Boston ongoing efforts to address, climb, gangs, and youth violence,” (Johnson, B., p. 18). Conversely, Johnson adds, “[t]hose skeptical of the Boston Miracle have correctly noted. There was also a noticeable drop in youth violence in the number of other American cities, (e.g., Detroit, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Antonio, and San Diego) during the early 1990s,” (Johnson, B., pp. 18, 19). The specific origin of criminality is man’s propensity to sin, thus bears difficulty in its elimination.
Whilst the act of community policing is a slippery slope, welcoming the encroachment of government intervention into private communities; man ought to remember that government is an instrument of God. Although criminals have hijacked the contemporary American government, man mustn’t abandon his zealous reverence for his nation. America can be saved; by uniting together in our foundational principles of ethics, opposing violence, and working individually to deter engagement in crime.
As Paul scribed in the New Testament to the Roman Church, that “[e]very person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God,” (Romans 13:1; NASB). No matter who declares themselves to be an authoritative power on Earth, there exists only one authority of all living creatures. For any other entity to suggest otherwise, is illogical. Under this ascription, Paul adds, “[t]herefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves,” (Romans 13:2; NASB). Moreover, any authority that stands outside of the jurisdiction of the inherent natural laws established by God; their authority will be abdicated in the public court of opinion, deposing them of influence. Paul scribes that the purpose of doing good, is so that the implemented laws can be implemented and effective at preventing violations to civil peace. Yet this is not the only purpose for us to do good. God has promised that all who follow his established principles, and strive to live like Jesus; will be blessed abundantly. As Paul reminds us “For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good,” (Romans 13:3,4a; NASB). The better individuals position themselves to exhibit the eternal principles that have remained consistent throughout the history of time; the greater impact they can have on their communities. For those who follow God’s law will evade violating the laws of man; whilst establishing a personal connection to the living God. For His Holy Spirit is always with us. The Lord remains consistent, in any circumstance, His word will never fail. God is working through us, and fighting for us. As His presence was witnessed over national television on June 13th, 2024, as the shooter (possibly shooters—if the deceased shooter was a public decoy for the bureaucratic establishment) attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump. In a textbook example of the power of God—even as the United States Secret Service (USSS) (1) failed to secure the parameter; (2) failed to prevent the shooter from positioning himself to fire a direct shot; but (3) did not fail in allowing the shooter to fire multiple shots at the former president; (4) nor prevent the collateral murder of attendees; and (5) negligently allowed the former president to get shot in the ear; God protected Donald Trump from injury. No combination of noxious factors could harm Donald Trump. The Lord’s favor reveals that the former president has spent time building a personal relationship with God. Therefore, a personal relationship with God trumps a sore reliance on community policing. Americans ought to ensure every elected official answers to the same God; thus, all are obligated to uphold the duty in which they are tasked.
The government is an instrument unto God. The American government is a vehicle for His presence. The contemporary administration, alongside the bureaucratic establishment, is influenced and manipulated by demonic forces that offset the purpose He created government for: to worship Him; and distribute impartial justice through objective morality—bringing the Kingdom of Heaven closer to the depraved. Christians are to stand as a Light within the darkness, bringing others to live in a similar manner, and seek a relationship with God. Scripture explains how Christians are to achieve this, in every situation. The Bible’s process objectives remain applicable in contemporary polity. Scripture is the oldest text known by man; yet possesses immense relevance two millennia in our radical age of contemporary renaissance. As the realms between Heaven and Earth continues to merge; citizens ought not consider exerting force unto his brethren, lest devolving this nation into tyranny. Man must rise above the slavocracy he hath formed unto his lax reliance on synthetic governance, rather than the natural law established by Christ. The Apostle Paul reminds us that as citizens we must “bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load,” Galatians 6:2-5 (NASB).
Conclusion
In sum, a delicate balance between the (1) dissent from the zealous body of autonomous citizens; and the (2) assent of the government's effective fortitude of and seemingly unlimited materialist power; must be sought in the name of public security. Thus, community policing policy ought to strive to counterbalance the prospect of tyranny, precluding the encroachment of the state. There undisputably must be some form of police power implemented to deter criminals from committing crimes. But the state should aim to incentivize citizenry to strengthen their communities by building neighborhood watch groups and citizen policing; starting at a foundational level with the individual by facilitating religiosity and normalizing radical faith. Yet historically the federal government fears factionalized opposition; hence the creation of our Constitution. The authority of one authoritative party is often the tyrannizing of its opposition (e.g., the Constitution to the Anti-Federalists and advocates of the Confederacy). But as witnessed from June 13th’s assassination attempt on former president Trump, even the United States Secret Service cannot be trusted. When the government believes the political opposition is a threat, they will manipulate the body of policing power. Specifically, this can occur with police refusing to protect specific individuals due to their political—or religious—beliefs. Therefore, the citizen ought not rely on the government, nor any authoritative body of synthetic power. Instead ought to rely first on God, second on his brethren; and third on the posterity of this union. Community policing must be defined by the community that professes to police its streets; making any authoritative body of power obsolete, unless deemed necessary by the people they are enlisted to protect. But God.
Bibliography
Benekos, P. et al. (2006). Crime Control: Politics & Policy: Second Edition. Anderson Publishing: LexisNexis Group.
Carter, D. L. (1995). Politics and Community Policing: Variables of Change the Political Environment. Public Administration Quarterly, 19(1), 6–25. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40861642
Garner, B.A. (2021). Black's Law Dictionary, Eleventh Edition. St. Paul, MN: Thomson Reuters.
Governor. (Accessed on July 17th, 2024). Governor Hochul Announces Five-Point Plan to Protect New Yorkers on the Subway. Governor Kathy Hochul. https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-five-point-plan-protect-new-yorkers-subway.
Welsh, W. et al. (1999; 2016). Criminal Justice Policy & Planning: Fifth Edition. Anderson Publishing: Waltham, MA.
Winfree, Jr., L.T., et al. (2019). Introduction to Criminal Justice: The Essentials – Second Edition. Wolters Kluwer Publishing: New York.