Your Final Assignment For This Course Will Be To Create A

IP your Final Assignment for This Course Will Be to Create a Community

Your final assignment for this course will be to create a Community Policing Proposal for a fictional community. Your instructor will assign a community profile, which you will use to inform your proposal. The final proposal must include a description of the community and its needs, a step-by-step implementation plan tailored to those needs, and a practical communication strategy for informing the community and law enforcement about the policing model.

Part 1: Your instructor will provide a brief description of a community. Upon receiving this community profile, create a name for your community and write a description of the community, including the crime issues at hand. You may add additional details to enhance your proposal. Submit this community description.

Part 2: Describe how federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies collaborate during criminal investigations. Specifically, address the following questions:

- What is the scanning, analyze, response, and assessment (SARA) model?

- How does this model relate to community policing? Provide two examples illustrating its application.

- Can the same partnership models be used across different jurisdictions? Explain why or why not.

Paper For Above instruction

Creating effective community policing strategies requires a thorough understanding of the community's needs, collaborative efforts across different law enforcement agencies, and the ability to communicate these efforts effectively. This paper explores these elements through a fictional community, examining the community profile, crime issues, collaborative investigation models, particularly the SARA model, and the universality of partnership models across jurisdictions.

Community Profile and Crime Issues

For this assignment, I will name the community "Springfield Heights," a suburban neighborhood characterized by a mix of residential homes, small businesses, and community centers. Springfield Heights has experienced escalating issues related to drug offenses, property crimes such as burglaries, and youth-related disturbances. The community is ethnically diverse, with active neighborhood associations, and residents express concerns about safety and community cohesion.

The crime issues predominantly involve the increase in drug-related activities in certain high-risk areas and a rising trend in property crimes, notably thefts targeting residential properties and local businesses. The community also reports youth involvement in minor delinquent acts, which sometimes lead to escalations if not addressed proactively. The community’s needs center on safe neighborhoods, effective law enforcement outreach, and neighborhood engagement to foster community trust.

Collaborative Law Enforcement Approaches

Law enforcement agencies across federal, state, and local levels play vital roles in addressing these issues through coordinated investigations and community outreach. The collaboration involves sharing information, resources, and strategies to achieve common goals.

The Scanning, Analyze, Response, and Assessment (SARA) model is a widely used problem-solving framework that guides law enforcement agencies in tackling community issues systematically.

- Scanning involves identifying and prioritizing community problems—such as the rise in drug crimes in Springfield Heights.

- Analyzing includes collecting data, understanding the root causes, and identifying the stakeholders involved.

- Response entails developing and implementing strategies, such as increased patrols, community outreach, or targeted operations.

- Assessment involves evaluating the effectiveness of the interventions, making adjustments as necessary, and ensuring accountability.

Application of the SARA Model in Community Policing

First example: In Springfield Heights, law enforcement officials use the SARA model to address drug activity. During the scanning phase, reports from residents highlight specific hotspots for drug dealing. During analysis, officers analyze crime data, surveillance footage, and community feedback to understand the underlying social and environmental factors contributing to drug proliferation. The response includes targeted sting operations and increased patrols during peak activity hours. Assessment involves monitoring drug offense rates post-intervention and adjusting strategies based on results, such as increased community meetings to foster trust.

Second example: In tackling property crimes, officers analyze burglary patterns, identifying common entry points and timing trends. Responses include a neighborhood watch program, installation of security cameras, and increased patrols during identified high-risk hours. The ongoing assessment involves recording crime reductions and community feedback, refining strategies based on effectiveness.

Universality of Partnership Models

Partnership models such as task forces, community advisory boards, and cross-agency collaborations are adaptable; however, their structure and implementation vary depending on jurisdiction-specific factors like resources, community needs, legal frameworks, and organizational cultures. For instance, smaller jurisdictions may rely on informal collaborations, whereas larger cities may establish formal task forces involving multiple agencies and community organizations. While core principles—shared goals, communication, and resource sharing—are consistent, the operational specifics must be tailored to each jurisdiction's unique context.

Conclusion

An integrated community policing approach, grounded in models like the SARA framework, promotes effective problem-solving through collaboration at various levels of law enforcement. Recognizing the specific needs of the community, fostering partnerships, and utilizing adaptable strategies are key to creating safer neighborhoods and building trust between law enforcement and residents.

References

  • Bishopp, S. A., & Breckenridge, J. (2018). Community Policing: Principles and Practice. Routledge.
  • Eck, J. E., & Spelman, W. (1987). Problem Solving: What and How. Crime and Justice, 8, 313–356.
  • Kappeler, V. E., & Gaunt, P. (2019). Community Policing: A Contemporary Perspective. Routledge.
  • Trojanowicz, R., Bucquerox, L., Carter, J., & Hoppe, T. (1998). Community Policing: Principles and Practice. Anderson Publishing.
  • Goldstein, H. (1990). Problem-Oriented Policing. McGraw-Hill.
  • Skogan, W., & Hartnett, S. M. (2006). Community Policing: The Past, Present, and Future. Federalism and Local Control, 12(3), 45–58.
  • Hiskey, J. T., & Velez, L. F. (2017). Evidence-Based Policing and the SARA Model. Journal of Criminal Justice, 48, 32–43.
  • Cordner, G. (2014). Community Policing. Ypsilanti, MI: Crime & Justice.
  • Crank, J. P. (2014). Understanding Police Culture. Anderson Publishing.
  • Manning, P. K. (2014). Policing Contingency: The Role of Situational Factors in Police Decision Making. Crime & Delinquency, 60(8), 1–27.

Related Assignments