Policing Models
Eras of Western Policing
Feudal and Communal Era: Maintained power dynamics between landowners and labourers.
Agrarian Era: Addressed land rights disputes and violence.
Industrial Era: Formalised policing emerged to address urban crime.
Information Era: Relies on information-based practices and counter-terrorism efforts.
Theories of Policing
Criminological theories ground strategies in evidence-based research.
Key theories include Rational Choice, Social Disorganisation, Social Control, and Conflict theories.
Rational Choice and Deterrence Theories
Individuals weigh costs and benefits before committing crimes.
Strategies: Visible patrols, hot spots policing, situational crime prevention.
Critiques: Ethical concerns and structural blind spots.
Routine Activities Theory
Crime requires a motivated offender, a potential victim/target, and the absence of a capable guardian.
Police act as 'capable guardians.'
Social Disorganisation and Community-Based Theories
Neighborhood conditions shape crime patterns, emphasizes systemic inequities and community dynamics.
Focuses on how neighbourhood conditions shape crime patterns.
Key theories: Social disorganisation theory, broken windows theory.
Social Disorganization Theory
Crime arises in neighborhoods where social institutions are weakened.
Key Concept: Collective efficacy.
Policing models prioritize community-oriented approaches.
Broken Windows Theory
Visible signs of disorder create an environment where serious crimes thrive.
Aggressive enforcement of low-level crimes to deter serious crime.
Ethical concerns: Over-policing and criminalising poverty.
Social Control and Labelling Theories
Societal bonds and stigmatisation shape criminal behaviour.
Social Control Theory
Individuals refrain from crime due to social bonds.
Police enhance social bonds through procedural justice and community partnerships.
Labelling Theory
Societal reactions to minor offenses can stigmatise individuals, leading to further crimes.
Police address stigmatisation through diversion programs and restorative justice.
Conflict and Critical Theories
Policing maintains power hierarchies and systemic inequities.
Laws and policing practices reflect the interests of dominant social groups.
Policing Models
Spectrum from militaristic to community-centered.
Community-Centered Paramilitary:
De-escalation focus - Force-first approach
Unarmed or minimally armed officers - Military-grade weapons/gear
Decentralised decision-making - Rigid, top-down hierarchy
Public seen as "partners" - Public seen as "potential threats"
Paramilitary Policing
Military-like approaches in civilian police organisations.
Characteristics: Military equipment, hierarchical structure, aggressive enforcement.
Community-Centered Policing
Collaborative approach focused on partnership and problem-solving.
Partnerships, proactive prevention, community-driven priorities.
Zero-Tolerance Policing
Rooted in Broken Windows Theory.
Aggressive enforcement of minor offenses to deter serious crime.
Critiques: Disproportionate targeting and ethical risks.
Community-Oriented Policing
Rooted in Social Disorganisation Theory.
Strengthens community bonds to address drivers of crime.
Tactics: Partnerships with schools/NGOs, youth mentorship programs.
Critiques: Resource-intensive and risk of superficial implementation.
Intelligence-Led Policing
Rooted in Rational Choice Theory
Uses data to forecast risks and allocate resources.
Tactics: Hotspots mapping and predictive algorithms.
Critiques: Algorithmic bias and privacy erosion.
Problem-Oriented Policing
Rooted in Rational Choice, Deterrence theories and Social Disorganisation Theories
Addresses root causes of recurring issues through the SARA model (Scanning, Analysis, Response, Assessment).
Critiques: Time-consuming analysis and displacement risks.
Policing in Queensland
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) exhibits paramilitary and community-oriented features.