In: Economics
The past few years have seen an erosion of trust between the police and the general public. This is not the first time this has occurred in US history, but is a "current issue" that continues to make news. This is a good time to look at how we "measure police effectiveness".
After reading the article "The Good Cop: Knowing The Difference Between Lawful and Effective Policing and Rightful Policing- And Why It Matters"
a. Compare and contrast "Lawful/Effective Policing" and what the author calls "Rightful Policing".
b. Which do yo think is the best way to measure our law enforcement system in the US? Explain in detail.
Answer each part of the Discussion Question thoroughly and substantively
There are two ways to evaluate the police.One is whether their behaviour or conduct is in accordance with the law known as lawful policing or how effective crime fighters they are known as effective policing.Rightful policing tries to assess behaviour of police agent specifically and and behaviour of police agencies in general.It is different from lawful policing and effective policing in two ways.Firstly, rightful policing does not depend on the actual police conduct according to law. On the other hand rightful policing depends on how fair the police conduct is.Secondly, rightful policing does not depend on how effective crime fighters they are even though rightful policing means low crime rates and compliance with law.
Rightful policing takes important considerations of dimensions that lawful policing and effective policing do not take into consideration .So it is the best way to measure law enforcement.People stress on few dimensions when assessing police, one being participation ie getting an opportunity to explain their situation and second people give a lot of importance to the fair decision of the authorities.People get inspired to help fight crimes when police generate good feelings.The crime rates get reduced.Treating people with dignity and with fairness leads to healthy and safe and democratic society.