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FUNCTIONS
In a democratic society, the police perform a number of functions which involves many tasks other than dealing with crime. Maintenance of social order is one of the prime police functions. Police are to maintain social order (social peace and tranquillity). They must strike the correct balance between public order and the exercise by individual and groups of their rights, and maintaining impartiality and not discriminating between individuals and groups seeking to exercise their rights. Limitations on the exercise of rights and freedoms can only be made by police in accordance with the law.
The under listed are also functions performed by Community Policing
• Responding to crime and emergencies.
• Maintaining public order.
• Tackling anti-social behaviours.
• Gathering intelligence.
• Assisting people in need.
• Maintaining safety.
• Be accessible to the public.
• Provide quality service.
• Interact with the public. Solve problems.
• Organizing public forums to sensitize people on anti-social behaviours.
Some advantages to be derived in adopting this new approach which we believe can completely revolutionalize existing policing methods and practices in Ghana are:
i. It allows officers to establish a close support based with local groups.
ii. It creates a fuller and deeper understanding of the crime issues affecting the communities.
iii. It leads to improvement in the quality of intelligence received from the communities.
iv. Police officers are likely to develop a greater sense of ownership towards and responsibilities for their respective areas.
v. Police in partnership with members of the communities can identify accurately potential crime problems and respond proactively to address them.
If the community is involved with the police, it will begin to demonstrate a communality of interest and belongingness, ensuring a sense of ownership and pride. Once citizens sense that they have control of their own destiny, positive change will occur. Community Policing will encourage citizens to work together to increase safety and security of their communities. Likewise, relationship with the youth, senior citizens, cultural, ethnic/religious organisations and government agencies will be enhanced.
Community Policing will change negative factors such as hostility, prejudice, apathy and ignorance to the positive co-operate image that will portray the service as sympathetic, accommodating, interesting and knowledgeable.
Finally, the community will regard the officers with confidence, trust and respect.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH COMMITTEE
Community Neighbourhood Watch Committee [formerly “Neighbourhood Watch Dogs] is simply an organised group of neighbourhood residents who watch out for criminals and suspicious behaviour and character and report to the local law enforcement agency. The programme involves people looking out for neighbours and becoming familiar with each other’s habit, vehicles and property while working hand in hand with local law enforcement agencies to promote security and cooperation. The concept therefore is an excellent cooperation between the police department and the citizens we protect.
Even though some neighbourhoods are more susceptible to crime than others all should consider establishing a neighbourhood watch program. No matter what type of neighbourhood you live in, the benefits are obvious. They include:
EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNITY POLICING AND NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH AND IT’S BENEFITS ON THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE COMMUNITY
PROMOTES NEIGHBOURLINESS: Neighbourhood Watch encourages residents to interact with each other, share information about work schedules, vacation plans, type of vehicles belonging to their households, etc. it also encourages neighbours to observe property of others and occasionally attend meetings to strengthen neighbourhood safety and security.
GREATER AWARENESS OF CRIME: Through neighbourhood watch groups, home security and personal safety are enhanced as residents become more aware of the threat of crime. Exposure to crime prevention techniques improves a citizen’s ability to remove and reduce opportunities for criminals to act.
ENHANCED REPORTING OF SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES: Residents are more aware of neighbours in their communities and are more inclined to report suspicious persons and activities to the police. Typically, as the calls for suspicious activity increase, the actual number of crimes committed decreases.
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