Ethical Issues in Community Policing

Abstract

Community policing requires fundamental changes to the philosophy and organization of police work. Among these changes will be substantial reduction in the political and social isolation of police departments and police officers as well as the granting of more autonomy and discretion to individual police officers. Just as the traditional, professional model of police work presents ethical challenges to police departments and officers, so will community policing. Reduction of the political and social isolation of the police may increase the risk of corruption and favoritism and greater autonomy and discretion for police officers increases the risk of police officers being beyond the effective control of their departments. By anticipating these unintended consequences of police reform steps may be taken to avoid them.

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