General Public Attitudes Towards Community Policing within Europe - An Explorative Research

• In Event: Community Policing in a Worldwide Perspective

Abstract

Community Policing (CP) is an ambiguous topic of police studies and criminology. Research findings report a considerable gap between the concept and its practical implementation amongst rank and file officers. Service orientation appears to have little in common with the crime fighting ideology and masculinity based self-image of male-dominated local police. The acceptance of CP on the part of communities is under researched. To a varying extent European law enforcement agencies grapple with the concept (crime fighting vs service orientation) and practical challenges, i.e. CP in minority or refugee neighbourhoods . Also in police practice there is a gap between the theoretical possibilities and challenges CP has and – on the other hand – the practical implementation. Gender, age, and socio-cultural background are decisive factors, and even more so, previous contact with police and how officers experienced by citizens.
According to research police officers’ attitudes towards CP vary depending on rank, gender, and size of precinct (urban, rural). Data of comparative EU-research in seven EU member states (in progress) will be presented and discussed in the light of the gap between CP concepts and practical police work in communities.

Authors

• Janna Wegmann, German Police University

• Joachim W. Kersten, German Police University