Verified Document

Roles & Duties Of Police Term Paper

Crime fighter

Unfortunately, despite these best efforts, no community is totally free from crime. Large urban areas in particular have shown an increase in violent and drug-related crimes. When these crimes happen, police officers are tasked with ensuring that the perpetrators are apprehended, so that they are prevented from engaging in more criminal activity, and so that justice could be meted out.

This role is seen in the amount of resources that the Los Angeles Police Department devotes towards responding to gang-related criminal activities.

Last month, the Harbor Gateway area of Los Angeles reeled from the killing of 14-year-old Cheryl Green, an African-American resident who wandered into the Latino territory of the area. Two members of the 204th Street Gang were quickly arrested and charged with Green's murder (McGreevey and Winton 2007).

The task of fighting crime, however, does not end with these arrests. Los Angeles Police Commissioner William Bratton also announced a Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca recently announced plans for the "strategic dismantling" of the area street gangs, whose rivalries resulted in Green's death. This involves active investigations into the actions of the 204th Street Group and its African-American counterpart, the Eastside Torrance gang. These include undercover and intelligence work to verify the identities of gang members. Law enforcement officials then plan to use injunctions and other legal measures, to either exempt gang members from early-release programs and to prevent their massing on street corners (McGreevey and Winton 2007).

Social servants

It takes more than an active police department, however, to keep a community safe from crime.

A strong partnership with social institutions, community groups, and private individuals is also the key. One important...

The Foot and Bike Patrol section of the San Antonio Police Department, for example, is one such example. In addition to being a visible deterrent to potential criminals, these patrol offices also serve as approachable sources of assistance for the civilians. San Antonio, after all, is the location of the Alamo, an attraction that draws a large number of tourists and visitors to the downtown and Riverwalk area. The bike and foot patrol officers are able to mingle more readily with the crowds, mediate between disputes, direct traffic, or even just answer questions and give directions. They also often get to know local residents and business owners intimately, and are therefore more able to perceive threats and danger (San Antonio Police Official Website).
In conclusion, media portrayals often concentrate only on police officers as crime fighters. However, the roles of social servant, crime preventers and maintainers of social order are equally as important to maintaining the safety of a community.

Works Cited

Kimberley Jackson. (2006). "On the beat." Anacortes American January 16: 6.

McGreevey, Patrick and Richard Winton. (2007). "FBI joins L.A. policing effort in war on gang crime." Los Angeles Times January 19: 1.

Radin, Charles a. (2007). "Police boost forces to stop unruly fans." The Boston Globe. January 20: A1.

San Antonio Police Department. (2006). Downtown foot and bike patrol. Retrieved January 20, 2007, from Official Website of the San Antonio Police

Department Web site: http://www.sanantonio.gov/saPD/bike.asp?res=1024&ver=true

Sources used in this document:
Works Cited

Kimberley Jackson. (2006). "On the beat." Anacortes American January 16: 6.

McGreevey, Patrick and Richard Winton. (2007). "FBI joins L.A. policing effort in war on gang crime." Los Angeles Times January 19: 1.

Radin, Charles a. (2007). "Police boost forces to stop unruly fans." The Boston Globe. January 20: A1.

San Antonio Police Department. (2006). Downtown foot and bike patrol. Retrieved January 20, 2007, from Official Website of the San Antonio Police
Department Web site: http://www.sanantonio.gov/saPD/bike.asp?res=1024&ver=true
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Roles of a Police Psychologist in an
Words: 2003 Length: 6 Document Type: Essay

Roles of a Police Psychologist in an Investigation The following paper describes the roles played by a police psychologist in an investigation of a situation in which a former police officer has been killed. The police force constantly takes risks to save the lives and belongings of the people they serve. This force is known for its bravery and courage but when a situation involves the homicide of a former member

Role Boundaries in Care Work Role Boundaries
Words: 1264 Length: 5 Document Type: Case Study

Role Boundaries in Care Work Role boundaries are a critical component in a health care setting. Much of this is a response to how the system is organized. The health care industry is composed of many different roles that specialize in different areas and expertise. Therefore, the individuals in the system must honor their role boundaries to ensure that the collective efforts of the individuals in the system can work together

Lesson Plan Amp; Reflection I Didn't Know
Words: 857 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Lesson Plan Amp; Reflection I didn't know what state you are in so was unable to do state/district standards! Lesson Plan Age/Grade Range; Developmental Level(s): 7-8/2nd Grade; Below grade level Anticipated Lesson Duration: 45 Minutes Lesson Foundations Pre-assessment (including cognitive and noncognitive measures): All students are reading below grade level (5-7 months) as measured by standardized assessments and teacher observation Curricular Focus, Theme, or Subject Area: Reading: Fluency, word recognition, and comprehension State/District Standards: Learning Objectives: Students will develop

Branding New Service Dominant Logic
Words: 12522 Length: 50 Document Type: Dissertation

Branding in Service Markets Amp Aim And Objectives Themes for AMP Characteristics Composing Branding Concept Branding Evolution S-D Logic and Service Markets Branding Challenges in Service Markets Considerations for Effective Service Branding Categories and Themes Branding Theory Evolution S-D Logic and Service Markets Branding Challenges in Service Markets Considerations for Effective Service Branding Branding Concept Characteristics Characteristics Composing Branding Concept Sampling of Studies Reviewed Evolution of Branding Theory Evolution of Marketing Service-Brand-Relationship-Value Triangle Brand Identity, Position & Image Just as marketing increasingly influences most aspects of the consumer's lives, brands

Duties the Directors of a Corporation Are,
Words: 869 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Duties The directors of a corporation are, essentially, the representatives of the shareholders in the administration of the company. They are charged with the task of administering the corporation in such a way that preserves the assets of the shareholders, and that they receive a good return on their investments. As such, the Board of Directors is the "highest governing authority within the management structure at any publicly traded company" (Kennon,

Duty of Any State to Provide Its
Words: 1569 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

duty of any state to provide its citizens security and without doubt the police are the face of this security. Time and again efforts have been made to find ways to fulfill this obligation, community policing being one such step. Community policing, often known as 'foot patrol', has become a dominant process and adheres to the idea of collaboration between the police and the community to identify and solve

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now