Question

what steps would you recommend to change how police behavior and/or reduce conflict between the police and the communities they serve?​

Answer 1

Conflicts between police and civilians need to be attended to and resolved in order to ensure effective policing. It is important for the police and the community to establish an effective partnership of mutual trust as it is the foundation of peaceful coexistence in a society. Below are a few steps that alter police behavior and help reduce conflict between the police and the communities they serve:

• Police-citizen violence can be reduced by imposing strict restrictions on the use firearms by police officers.
• The attitude of the police personnel must be community-oriented. They must engage in fair practices that cater to the needs of the citizens rather than act in self-interest.
• The communication between the police and the public must be open and honest. This is essential for resolving conflicts effectively.
• Police personnel, especially the newly deployed officers, should be trained well for handling sensitive issues such as rape and racial violence.
• The police department must have an open channel of communication with the civilians and ensure that they are easily accessible at all times.
• Conflict resolution is more effective when police officers have good knowledge of a community’s concerns, problems, and the changing priorities.
• Police must reach out to diverse communities and conduct frequent assessments of the level of tension in each community.