Trust Through Intelligence?

Jamie Summers

doi:10.2218/ccj.v1.4946

Abstract

It would be understandable to view community policing and counter-terrorism policing as two distinct concepts which are intrinsically situated at opposites poles in the world of policing. While one invokes cultures such as transparency, public engagement and visibility, the other is traditionally considered as a series of clandestine operations more akin to the intelligence-led policing model. This paper will argue that the two policing strategies are in fact compatible. With a shift in the nature of terrorism itself apparent, the contemporary lone wolf attacker is not only a deadly threat, but one which is incredibly difficult to detect using methods such as background checks and covert investigation. This is due to a lack of communication and/or physical ties between attackers, a high level of isolation stemming from affinity to extremist ideologies, combined with self-struggle and anger. In order to combat prospective attacks, effective preventative measures must be implemented in both geographical and social spaces. Such measures warrant the implementation of community policing philosophies which can help establish trust and promote co-operation, leading to accurate, reliable community intelligence, as well as reassurance and security for the members of the community itself.

Highlights

In the field of modern policing, there are many strategies inherently diverse in philosophy and operational detail
Counter-terrorism policing on the other hand has traditionally been seen as a form of high policing exclusive to security-related, investigative or even military organisations
This considered, since the turn of the century counter-terrorism operations have branched out to include a lower form of policing with multi agency co-operation, such as community intelligence and local contact units. Perhaps this is due in part to the recognition of a shift in the tides of terrorism, namely a proliferation of lone-wolf style planning and attacking. It is this extension of counter-terrorism operations that can draw from the community policing philosophy and adopt strategies that will promote cohesion, trust and positive relations between the police and the public (Ramirez 2008), with the goal of preventing potential attacks at the root as opposed to relying on often disproportionate reactive measures

Summary

Introduction

In the field of modern policing, there are many strategies inherently diverse in philosophy and operational detail. This considered, since the turn of the century counter-terrorism operations have branched out to include a lower form of policing with multi agency co-operation, such as community intelligence and local contact units. It is this extension of counter-terrorism operations that can draw from the community policing philosophy and adopt strategies that will promote cohesion, trust and positive relations between the police and the public (Ramirez 2008), with the goal of preventing potential attacks at the root as opposed to relying on often disproportionate reactive measures.

Results

Conclusion