Ethical Considerations in Community Policing and Problem Solving

Abstract

Although the literature concerning community-oriented policing and problem solving (COPPS) is rapidly growing, very little has been written concerning its relationship with ethics—a relationship that is critical to the success of COPPS. Many academics and practitioners are concerned that the potential for ethical dilemmas is increased with the shift to COPPS, given the nature of ethics training, decentralization, expanded discretionary authority and officers' greater proximity to citizens. This article discusses ethics in general as well as police ethics and ethical considerations under COPPS. In addition to academics and police practitioners, this information should also be useful to citizens, who demand and expect ethical behavior from their police. Included are four case studies of situations that are likely to occur within a COPPS framework; each scenano is accompanied by an ethical analysis of the situation.Community-oriented policing and problem solving (COPPS) is a rapidly spreading concept that offers the police new tools for addressing the recurrent problems that plague our communities. According to the California Department of Justice (1993:3), COPPS is & d q u o ; a philosophy, management style, and organizational strategy that promotes proactive problem solving and police community partnerships to address the causes of crime and fear as well as other community issues.&dquo; Under this strategy, police examine the underlying causes of crime and disorder with a view toward developing long-

Officer's perception of organizational arrangements and preventive policing practice

“…Many studies have suggested that implementation of COP requires fundamental changes in organizational structures and others have argued that COP implementation would bring changes in organizational structure (Adams et al, 2002;Carter and Radelet, 1999;Eitle et al, 2005;Greene et al, 1994;Peak and Glensor, 1996). Typical aspects of organizational structures discussed in the prior studies can be categorized into one of the following: functional, occupational, spatial and vertical differentiation, as well as centralization, formalization, and administrative intensity (Langworthy, 1986).…”

Police Culture, Women Police and Attitudes towards Misconduct

“…More generally, the recent emphasis on community policing indicates the need and relevance of the 'female' style to policing. Notwithstanding equalopportunity arguments to support the employment of women, Peak and Glensor (1996) asserted: 'As contemporary policing becomes more COPPS [communityoriented policing and problem-solving] oriented, the growing presence of women may help to improve its tarnished image; improve community relations; and foster a more flexible, less violent, approach to keeping the peace' (p. 162). Arguably, police services could benefit from examining more closely the ways in which skilled policewomen perform their duties and then educating male police officers in these techniques.…”

Strange union: changing patterns of reform, representation, and unionization in policing

“…In a sense, that initial change movement can be partly interpreted as a form of internal emancipation and institutional loosening-up. One of the key concepts which began to emerge at that time was community-oriented policing or 'COP' (Peak & Glensor, 1996). It had its roots in a wish to fundamentally transform that traditional, rigid, overtly centralized, machine bureaucracy into a flexible institution.…”