Fostering Citizen and Community Participation

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1 Modernizing Police Institutions Within A Democratic Framework Fostering Citizen and Community Participation Presenter Joanne James Senior Superintendent of Police Trinidad and Tobago 11/22/2011 1

2 Citizen and Community Participation -highly important factors in modernizing police institutions - facilitates the development of relations based on trust, - achieves higher levels of credibility and legitimacy - enables the maintenance of open, regular channels of communication - fosters the implementation of crime-prevention strategies, - ensures that police action responds to citizens demands. 11/22/2011 2

3 TRADITIONAL PURPOSES OF POLICE ORGANISATIONS In Trinidad and Tobago (and universally), the purposes that we have traditionally accepted to be the main thrust of managing a Police Department are as follows: 1. Protecting Life and Property 2. Preserving the Peace 3. Preventing Criminality 4. Apprehending Criminals 11/22/2011 3

4 Although these are still legitimate purposes for policing, they have a major defect: They have become reactive. TODAY: the concept of policing has embraced a new dimension that encourages us to add a fifth purpose: 5. Enhanced Community Involvement 11/22/2011 4

5 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 11/22/2011 5

6 MECHANISMS TO STRENGTHEN DIALOGUE AND CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION Purposes and principles of the organization Training and Education Proactive Planning Operating Principles Proactive communication and information management Proactive police technology for the twenty-first century Human Resource Management Maintaining and upholding the enshrined rights of citizens Patrol operations Air, Land and Sea 11/22/2011 6

7 PATROLS 11/22/2011 7

8 Training Prepares officers to deal with the various groups (ethnic, religious, perpetrators of crime etc.) in their communities. Knowledge of words, gestures and communication norms strengthens communication. 11/22/2011 8

9 TRAINING 11/22/2011 9

10 INCREASED PARTICIPATION STRENGTHENS TIES Consultation Collaboration Coordination of resources Adaptation Building Capacity Integration of Information Mobilization Team Work Information Technology Problem Solving Planning Decision Making Community Partnership 11/22/

11 STRENGTHENING TIES 11/22/

12 MOBILIZATION Rather than relying on our own efforts exclusively to prevent crime, the Police Service has engaged in programs that enlist the active assistance and participation of the Public and other organizations. Police Youth Clubs Heart and Minds Project Know your Neighbor Program Citizen Security Program 11/22/

13 POLICE YOUTH CLUBS Police youth clubs provide an alternative for young people in a society bombarded with negative images 11/22/

14 CITIZEN SECURITY PROGRAM This program is executed through three (3) components namely; (a) (b) (c) Community Action Assistance to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service; and Institutional strengthening of the Ministry of National Security. These programs are only the beginning of a mind boggling array of mobilization schemes devised, encouraged and partnered by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. 11/22/

15 Victim & Witness Support Unit Counselling Crisis Negotiation Grief Counselling Walking with Witnesses through the Judicial System Referral Safe Houses 11/22/

16 INSTRUMENTS TO OPTIMIZE POLICE ACTION 21 st Century Policing Initiative Policing for the People Planning and Technology 11/22/

17 PLANNING AND TECHNOLOGY The Police Service uses planning and technology to reduce crime and to solve crimes in their communities. The departments carefully plan cost-efficient use of police resources targeting the most pressing problems identified by the community. Solid investigative work and the use of latest techniques including DNA identification and hair/drug techniques. Everyone from the front line officer to the Executive shall take a proactive approach to create the best possible outcomes. 11/22/

18 USE OF TECHNOLOGY 11/22/

19 TECHNOLOGICAL AGE 11/22/

20 MAJOR CHALLENGES NATIONAL CULTURE VERSUS ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE POLICE SUBCULTURE "laissez-faire" relaxed and easy-going The Police Service, although part of the Trinidadian culture, forms a distinctive subculture because of the characteristics of this particular vocation: Law Enforcement. 11/22/

21 POLICE SUBCULTURE The major norms of the police subculture are: Secrecy Solidarity Social Isolation These three (3) S s define the everyday life of every Police Officer in the nation. These norms create a lifestyle for the police officer both on and off the job. The implications for police managers are quite obvious. Issues and problems based on the notion of subculture have a tendency to become major, thereby creating a barrier to quality and sincere relationships with the community. 11/22/

22 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT 11/22/

23 THE PRINCIPAL CHALLENGE Lack of TRUST AND RESPECT Building Trust and Respect takes Character Former US President Roosevelt wrote: To educate a person in the mind but not in morals is to educate a menace to society? Business Tycoon, Warren Buffet said: When I select a MANAGER, the first thing I look at is the person s character And, Dr. Dwayne Gibbs has continuously pointed out to graduates at the Academy that Character Counts. 11/22/

24 BUILDING TRUST AND RESPECT TAKES CHARACTER. Let s face it. It is not easy to become a person of character. First and foremost, you must have a purpose and a mission. Then add a good heart, the wisdom to know right from wrong, and the discipline to do the right thing even when it s costly, inconvenient, or unpopular. Remember! The number one value for a person of character is integrity. (Trust and Respect) 11/22/

25 CHARACTER 11/22/

26 GAUGING COMMUNITIES It has been possible. CONFIDENCE How: - Conducting Surveys Gauging Increases in Reporting Increased Participation in Community Meetings Enhanced Community Involvement 11/22/

27 GAUGING INCREASES IN REPORTING 11/22/

28 Gracias Obrigado Merci Thank You 11/22/