Community-based policing

• Community-based policing or community-oriented policing is both a philosophy and an organizational strategy that allows the police and the community to work together to solve problems of crime, disorder and safety issues and to improve the quality of life for everyone in that community (OSCE, 2008). Experience suggests that when communities play a key role in defining their own security and safety needs and are involved in planning, implementing and monitoring locally-defined solutions to their problems, community safety and security improves considerably.

• The quality of the relationship between community groups, civilians and local security personnel – usually the police – is often the determining factor in whether a survivor reports violence and receives adequate treatment, whether the perpetrator is apprehended, investigated and prosecuted and whether effective action is taken locally to prevent future incidents of violence. The deployment of a community police force or use of community policing methods can increase trust and the effectiveness of police in preventing and responding to violence against women (Police Executive Research Forum).

• Community policing is based on the premise that no one organization can solve local security problems, which require partnership, collaboration and joint problem-solving between the police, the communities they serve, and others (U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Servicesa). Potential partners for community-based policing might include:

  • Other government agencies (e.g. local authorities, prosecutors, probation and parole officers, public works departments, neighbouring law enforcement agencies, health and social services, child support services, and schools).  

  • Community members/groups (e.g. individuals who live, work, or otherwise have an interest in addressing violence against women in the community—volunteers, activists, formal and informal community leaders – who are a valuable resource for identifying community concerns).

  • Traditional and community leaders, who are often called to intervene in cases of domestic violence, sexual abuse and child abuse.

  • Non-governmental/ community-based service providers, who are core partners in the referral system and provide key support to survivors or women at risk of violence (e.g. shelters, women’s organizations, advocacy organizations, survivor support groups, service clubs, community development organizations, faith-based groups or associations).

  • Private businesses, who have a stake in the health of the community and can contribute financial and other resources.

  • Local media, who can assist with publicizing the issue in the community and possible solutions, promote services from government or community agencies or new laws or codes that will be enforced. In addition, the media can have a significant impact on public perceptions of the police, domestic violence and security issues for women in the community.

• Community-based policing requires police departments to organize their management, structure, personnel, and information systems in a manner that supports partnerships with advocates and other community members and proactive problem-solving focused on survivor safety. Key priorities to ensure community-based policing improves prevention and response to violence against women include (Denham, 2008, OSCE, 2011):

  • Integrate gender and violence against women issues across police operations locally at the earliest stages of police reform and in line with measures taken at the national level, including by:

    • Developing clear policies and strategies, with a budget for implementation.

    • Establishing specific units to deal with violence against women or child protection issues at the community level. For example, in the United Kingdom, every police force has a Community Safety Unit to deal with domestic violence; Child Abuse Investigation Units for cases of physical or sexual violence against minors; and Sapphire Units for sexual offences. Officers are specifically selected and trained for this work, with units based in designated buildings (separate from police facilities) to help survivors feel safe.

    • Placing plain-clothed officers within communities, who may be more approachable and reduce attention to women and girls who may seek support or assistance from police.

    • Identifying ‘champions’ within the local force to advocate for addressing the issue.

    • Increasing the representation of women and minority groups in community police units, as women and girls are often more comfortable reporting violence to female police (Population Council, 2010).

  • Give specific training to police to improve their capacity to implement community policing. In addition to basic training related to gender-based violence and survivor-centred responses, topics should include community policing concepts, address attitudes and myths related to survivors (key to improving effective victim identification and engagement), and specifically develop personnel skills in communication, collaborative problem-solving and cooperation. These skills are essential for working in partnership with community members, government and local organizations with experience addressing the issue, and can strengthen police interventions (U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Servicesb).

  • Promote linkages between community police, women’s organizations and community groups advocating or providing services to survivors (e.g. joint training/ patrolling, coordinated referral services). For example, engaging groups in conducting community safety audits can increase police awareness of women’s security concerns and improving women’s sense of security.

  • Hold regular meetings between the police and community groups in convenient and safe locations to encourage participation of all community members, especially women. Such consultations should be organized with women’s advocates and should consider the location (e.g. community centres rather than police stations); time (hours where women can freely move and have fewer competing responsibilities); and format of meetings (small groups versus large public forums, presence of female personnel) to ensure women’s security and maximize their participation.

  • Establish internal systems within the police that encourage and reward innovative practice with respect to violence prevention and response (e.g. performance-related pay, service awards, police officer of the month).

  • Establish local civilian oversight and coordination mechanisms to enable community groups to monitor police practices and responses to gender-based violence (e.g. community-police forums or committees and review boards).

Illustrative examples of community policing efforts: