Generational change in enthusiasm for community policing
Spending time with community organisations makes young in-service police officers more enthusiastic about working in partnership to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, according to new LJMU research.
Experiences to engage with communities as part of police training, such as on the university-based Degree Holders Entry Programme, “invigorated attitudes towards engagement in neighbourhood policing”, found a team from LJMU’s School of Law and Justice Studies.
The study also showed generational differences in attitudes according to age and length of service, with younger officers more willing to engage.
Dr Robert Hesketh, one of the authors of the study, said “I believe we’re observing a meaningful shift, influenced by education as well as broader generational changes in attitudes towards policing and community relations.”
Importance of partnership policing
The four-year study by LJMU’s Criminal Justice group and its Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies, was presented this week at a meeting of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services and evidenced the importance of stronger ties between local police officers and community organisations. It also identified several barriers hampering collaboration, including differing priorities between police and partners and difficulties bridging organisational cultures.
The study surveyed student officers and experienced personnel within Merseyside Police, as well as key community partners such as registered charities and social enterprises.
94 student officers and 37 established officers with up to 15 years of service were interviewed several times with six focus groups providing deep insights.
Findings showed a shared enthusiasm among police officers and community organisations toward improving safety and preventing crime. The research found that officers who are exposed to the work of local organisations who support Merseyside communities, are more likely to display enthusiasm and commitment to work in partnership to bring down crime and ASB.
Merseyside Police 'proactive'
Dr Hesketh said: “Exposure to community organisations during training is likely to greatly reinforce positive attitudes to neighbourhood policing. The DHEP program, run by LCAPS and elsewhere, has given officers an insight into what partnership working is about and how valuable it is to the neighbourhood policing model.
“Such real-world engagement is becoming a critical factor supplementing theoretical knowledge, thus increasing enthusiasm.”
The team, which included Matt Albrighton (Teesside University), Garry Shewan and Mike Barrett (LCAPS), said the research underlined Merseyside Police’s commitment to working with communities, whilst making recommendations to build even closer partnership ties: “Merseyside Police is aiming to become a force that not only reacts to crime but also proactively prevents it through stronger community ties.
“This aligns with a national strategy promoted by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, emphasising crime prevention via community engagement, data insights, and cross-sector partnerships.”
