Introduction
Terrorism has contributed to increased cases of violence, conflict, injuries and loss of innocent lives indicating a great need for effective interventions. Terrorism refers to the use of violence and intimidation against other people in an unlawful manner especially when seeking to fulfill political aims. One of the measures that has proven to be effective in addressing terrorism is community policing which requires engagement of officers and members of the public. This creates an opportunity for information sharing while also informing some of the strategies used in addressing terrorist activities. Community policing has proved to be effective in reducing the high prevalence of terrorism since it helps to promote confidence and rapport between members of the public and the police.
Literature Review
Community policing has proven to be effective in addressing terrorism since members play a significant role in helping police officers to identify high risk individuals. Policing enables law enforcement officers to develop an understanding of the local community while also fostering situational awareness (Kearns, 2018, p.1). Officers have the opportunity to interact and engage with members of the public to gain an awareness of various terrorist threats in society and some of the measures that can be implemented. Proper implementation of community policing also enhances the likelihood that members of the public file reports about potential threats and radicalization cases.
Effectiveness of community policing strategies require community members and police officers to work in a collaborative manner. The police and citizens can work together to identify priority activities and address them in an appropriate manner (Snodgrass, 2020, p.3). Activities promoted by community policing help to foster long term trust relationship between law enforcement officers and the citizens. Trust results from members of the public realizing that the police are putting in the effort to keep them safe. Trust relationships are necessary to promote resilience and the ability to counter terrorist narratives.
Police and other law enforcement agencies have to be aware that using the engagement activities to gather intelligence might have a negative impact on the interaction with citizens. Community policing strategies should be focused on enhancing information sharing between the citizens and relevant authorities (Snodgrass, 2020, p.3). Community policing allows officers to openly share information with the public while also seeking support on issues that are of mutual concern. A well implemented community policing strategy helps to eliminate various forms of violent extremism.
Community policing and the efforts promoted by the intervention help to mitigate risks associated with individuals radicalizing to engage in terrorism. Police play a significant role in community policing strategies by addressing various factors in community that enhance the risk of violent extremism (Mazerolle, 2020, p.4). Community policing achieves this by providing society-based education and awareness programs. The programs enhance referral networks while also providing assistance to individuals who face increased risks of radicalization.
Law enforcement officers have to identify community policing strategies that are likely to enhance public engagement in countering terrorism. In this case officers can choose to engage in recreation and sports, community forums, liason programs and legitimacy enhancing strategies while also promoting community education (Mazerolle, 2020, p.1). This is necessary to ensure that law enforcement officers have a working relationship with general citizens which are necessary to address violent extremism. Success in community policing requires law enforcement officers to have strategies that promote connectedness. Community connectedness is necessary to increase prosocial ties between community members.
Effectiveness of community policing in eliminating terrorism depends on whether it helps to improve the relations between civilians and law enforcement agencies. Community policing strategies help to ensure that terrorists are deprived of their legitimacy and undermine their claims. This is because law enforcement officers and members of the public develop trusting relationships that promote information sharing. This allows officers to gather terrorism-related intelligence and initiate necessary measures to enhance public safety. However community leaders should consider addressing any issues that are likely to limit the development of trust between officers and members of the public. Trust can be fostered in community policing by encouraging shared decision making at various community levels (Goldberg & Christopher, 2019, p.118).
Community policing also helps to promote a sense of belonging since civilians develop the perspective that their input is useful within society. Law enforcement officers should focus on taking advantage of the knowledge and skills possessed by various public members.
Conclusion
Community policing strategies help to address terrorism by minimizing civilian recruitment to terrorist groups. Information shared through community campaigns play a role in limiting the influence of terrorist messages to eliminate their radicalizing effect. This is achieved by raising awareness among members of the public in relation to propaganda spread by violent extremists. Societal leaders and law enforcement officers should avoid using community policing to encourage members to spy on one another since it can have a negative impact on civilian trust (Jackson & Costello, 2019, p.3). The main goal of community policing is to reduce the incidence of terrorism by countering extremist causes and any ideology that supports radicalization. Community policing is also necessary to identify alternatives that can be used to respond to terrorism risks.
References
Goldberg, K., & Christopher, K. (2019). Community oriented policing: Security in the domestic counter terrorism environment. Journal of Business and Behavioral Sciences, 31(1), 114-124. Web.
Jackson, B. A., & Costello, K. (2019). Practical terrorism prevention: Reexamining US national approaches to addressing the threat of ideologically motivated violence. RAND Corporation. Web.
Kearns, E. M. (2020). Exploring officer views of community policing in counterterrorism. Police practice and research, 21(1), 18-32. Web.
Mazerolle, L., Eggins, E., Cherney, A., Hine, L., Higginson, A., & Belton, E. (2020). Police programmes that seek to increase community connectedness for reducing violent extremism behaviour, attitudes and beliefs. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 16(3), e1111. Web.
Snodgrass, D. W. (2020). Using community-focused policing to combat terrorism and counter violent extremism: A law enforcement toolkit. Web.