What You Need To Know About The Community Oriented Policing System (COPS)

I wrote this post because I'm passionate about social justice. I'm a critic of local law enforcement and I believe we can change that. As a community, it is important to understand how much power we have. We have the right to change something we feel is not beneficial to our citizens. Lately, there has been many issues with LEA's (Law Enforcement Agency) all around the country! There have incidents in Baltimore and in Ferguson where lethal force has been used in non-threatening situations. There is a system that has been around since the 1980's called Community Oriented Policing. I wrote a little informational/promotional peice on it. I really hope that this can help you inform you and shape your attitude towards police departments.

Could you imagine a community where you didn’t have fear of your local law enforcement? Could you imagine not having to constantly defend your local law enforcement agency? Wouldn’t all of this be nice? We could all live in harmony in our perfect community. Unfortunately, all across the U.S. there are mixed opinions about our local law enforcement agencies. For example, there are people who fear and hate the police. Then there are people who are in total support of their community’s police and they are persistent in their support them. But there is a system that could eliminate this view of the police as whole and it’s practiced in only a few towns and cities. It’s called Community Oriented Policing and I whole-heartedly support it. However, in order for me to effect explain my support for Community Oriented Policing, its essential that I define what Community Orienting Policing is.

            Community Oriented Policing was introduced into society around the 1980’s. This system included a law enforcement agency becoming focused more on the needs of the community. Police authority stemmed from community support, the law, and professionalism. An agency would build an intimate relationship with community by use of foot patrol. For example, policemen would get out of their cars to walk and talk with different people in the community.  Essentially, community oriented policing involved a delivery of police services that were specifically for their region or neighborhood.  The needs of the community drove the police department’s mission and purpose. This system is based on an idea that promotes partnership with the community, intradepartmental organizational skills within the department, problem-solving techniques, and proactive police behavior towards public safety issues within the community.

             My younger brother is an intelligent black man who is the typical 20 year old. He hangs out with hs buddies and he drives like most 20 year olds would drive. However, I always tell him that he needs to be careful when he’s out with friends or when he’s driving. I tell my brother this because his appearance and his associates alone have gained an unnecessary target on their backs. From a community perspective, there are discrepancies within our law enforcement agencies. For instance, they are focusing on the wrong people at the wrong times. Also, they are constantly using lethal tactics to “stop” or “subdue” the accused. On the other hand, from a policemen’s perspective, a few things contribute to them not being able to perform their job properly. One issue being the media. We can all agree that the media does plant a seed in us that plays apart in how we feel about police; consequently, this causes the community to not work well with their law enforcement agency. These are only a few of the obvious issues that I think a community oriented policing system can resolve.

            Now that I’ve defined the concept of a Community Oriented Policing system and the apparent issues we have without having a system in place, it’s time to focus on the benefits of incorporating this type of policing into our communities nationwide. In regards to the community, nationally, there seems to be no line of trust between the community and the police. If there is, the line is as thin as a strand of hair. With the implementation of a Community Oriented Policing system in place, we can start to build a line of trust and communication between the two. A police force that is active in the community by casually talking to neighbors and participating in and organizing community events would help. Wouldn’t you feel safer and more comfortable with someone the more that you saw and interacted with them? That’s how we build relationships. The community will began to rely on police and even initiate communicate with them in regards to a crime. It builds a sense that we must all look out for each other and our law enforcement agency is here to help and not to rule with an iron first.  Furthermore, a law enforcement agency must also have an structure that compliments their mission to serve the community. For instance, the Tallahassee Police Department has the responsibility to know what the needs of the community are so they apply the appropriate duties to the appropriate officers. In addition, TPD also has to hire people that are mentally and physically up for the job. They need to have decent people in the different levels of authority who are able to make conscious and effective decisions that concern the community. The department also needs to maintain a good system of communication where everyone talks to each other and play an important role in the decision making. Think of it as this, you wouldn’t want a Publix grocery manager to hire unfriendly cashiers who aren’t knowledgeable about the products within their store? Shopping will definitely not be a pleasure!

In my overall opinion, community oriented policing has many benefits. I believe our citizen’s involvement will drastically increase and improve. An important piece of our community is our youth. Directing and shaping our youth’s ideas about a policeman will also assist in future community involvement. Currently, it seems like there is a cycle of how we portray our police departments and it needs to be broken with our youth and discontinued with our adults. In addition, Community Oriented Policing can also encourage our citizens to become educated with the local laws.  Not only this, the public will be informed at how well our law enforcement agency is doing their job and they won’t have to hear it from the media. However, this can’t happen overnight. Some police departments can’t implement a community-based program because of funding. Police departments need funding to properly train their officers. They also need funding to organize events that are community based. According to WhiteHouse.gov, there has been funding available for this but it’s not enough. It’s up to the citizens of a community to really step up and speak out in regards to change. Ultimately, a law enforcement agency is effective ran and built on quality services, a positive perception, and community involvement.

 

****I encourage you to 'Follow' and 'Like' the 'Officer Tommy Norman' page on Facebook to get a visual of what community oriented policing should look like.

This post was dedicated to my young, black, intelligent little brother.
 

 

Living With ADHD Is Actually Pretty Awesome

Recently, I've been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). First, it's not a shock to people to who actually know me. Secondly, I'm so relieved to put a name to something I've struggled with all my life. It's like that "Aha moment!" we all have when we put two and two together. Don't know what ADHD is? Well,from a personal perspective, it's a condition that makes me really impulsive (I just HAVE to do something when I want to do it), I can't really pay attention or focus (Meeting new people is hard since I can't even pay attention long enough to remember your name), and it affects me socially (No New Friends!). From a scientific standpoint, it has to do with your brain and how it functions and responds. It's usually found in children at a very young age. However, I was diagnosed as an adult. I've unknowingly had this since I was kid. I've gotten kicked out of daycares because of it (Natural BadAss).Since I was kid, I was always on the go. Every time I would get into trouble as a kid, my mom would never fail to say "Ashely, you just do what you want to do without listening to anyone!". Children who are affected by this are usually labeled as a "problem child". True, it is a behavioral disorder but I hate that kids are labeled bad  because of it. It's not their fault. It's actually it's our parents fault. ADHD stems from the DNA that your parents have passed on to you at birth. Either one or both parents can carry this trait. However, this post is about me and how awesome I am because of it so moving on!

Living with ADHD is pretty awesome! It took me through various stages in my life. For example, as a preteen, it was harder for me to adjust socially. I took on many personalities and ways to fit in and that was hard. Furthermore, as an adult, it affected my romantic relationships. I didn't' know what I wanted and needed out of a relationship. I jumped in too fast or not at all. I also let it affect career opportunities. I would space out in interviews and never get a call back. I just chalked it up to nervousness and inadequacy to actually to do the job.It was tough and I wasn't satisfied with myself or the direction of my life. Then something turned on in my hyperactive brain! *insert light bulb above my head* 

I decided to explore my life without any influence! I had to find out who I was. I also had to learn to accept myself and if I wasn't satisfied to make it better. I had to stop worrying about every little, freaking detail. I had to focus on setting goals and accomplish them. What pushed me to do all of this? What made me stay on the path to greatness? The end result. That simple. I envision myself doing this and having that. Mind you, all of this is before I found about the ADHD. I don't wanna say that I was forced to look in the mirror and say "Who are you, B*tch?" but I was. I found out that I was unique. I wasn't wired like all of these other b*tches out here. I open myself to many possibilities and I don't limit myself.  For example, I'm from the Hood *plays Future Trap N*ggas* but I love rock bands like Motley Crue and Queen. Once I did this, my anxiety level went down drastically. I had to learn to deal with who I was born to be and use it to my advantage. I mean you have to realize that accepting yourself is the best thing ever!! 

Now that I'm the impulsive kid all grown up, I work with what the 'Higher Power' blessed me with. I do so many activities now that I wasn't doing two years ago. For instance, I paint. I'm always down to go on a trail or a river. I blog (hehe) and I set goals to do things by myself (I go to Top Flite by myself to Turn Up lol). 

Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that I am f*cking AWESOME and no one can tell me different. The people who deal with me are the ones who can appreciate this. I have no room for anybody else who doesn't. I'm constantly learning new things about myself and it's pretty amazing. Life is great and one big, impulsive adventure in my mind! 

Always on the go. Never look back!