Policing Terrorism: A Threat to Community Policing or Just a Shift in Priorities?

Abstract

The events of September 11 and the subsequent concern for national security have justifiably shifted the priorities of policing. However, in the so‐called ‘war on terror’ police services might be tempted to abandon (or diminish) community policing and revert to the traditional model of policing with its emphasis on paramilitarism. To do so would not only be counterproductive but would also arrest the progress policing has made over recent decades which has taken it to the high level of societal acceptance it now enjoys. In their haste to give public reassurance, politicians might expect a traditional model and as police commissioners face the challenge of retaining community policing there will be further tension from within the ranks as mainstream police culture is action oriented and likely to prefer a paramilitary approach. Rather than moving away from community policing, police services should look to its qualities and apply its fine principles which ultimately will be more effective than the traditional model. The traditional model of policing will, in fact, distance police from the rest of the community whereas a community policing relationship that is built on trust and mutual respect is much more likely to provide early warnings about terrorists acts.