Students Post and Response Week 8 (for Hifsa Shakaut)

Abstract

            We finish off the course with a deep dive into professionalism, democratic policing reform, and the importance of innovation within law enforcement. It was an enjoyable yet concerning read in our text this week as we gained some insight on just how far many areas in the world still have to come with regard to recognizing human rights and ethical law enforcement practices. I had some experience while deployed to Iraq that paralleled many of the frustrations and challenges echoed in the text over how difficult it can be to attempt any form of democratic policing reform and professional innovation in a country that does not function through a democracy or maintain the same cultural and social values. These challenges do not negate the need for change however as humanity deserves better.

Professionalism; New and Old World Views

             Travis and Stone presented a position that new professionalism is a strengthened commitment toward accountability, legitimacy, innovation, and national coherence that previous generations of police reform couldn’t yet fully comprehend. The contrast to this new position was the previous decade’s interpretation of the word professional. The notion that law enforcement agencies half a century ago utilized the term “professional policing” only in an attempt to distinguish themselves from the antonym of amateur. Today’s new professionalism breaks the word down to its core, capturing the importance of what a law enforcement agency embodies as a result of reform, case law, and innovation. I agree with Travis and Stone; the new professional minded agency understands the weight of what that word means and the necessity for the pillars of accountability, legitimacy, innovation, and national coherence to reinforce the platform that professionalism in law enforcement stands upon (Travis, 2011).

Democratic Policing Reform

            Looking at chapter sixteen of our text and current international events, there is no doubt that humanity suffers from a large disparity in justice and ethical law enforcement as you travel across the globe. While democratic policing reform has helped professionalize North America, Western Europe and many United Nations affiliated countries; the presence of corruption and inhumane behavior within law enforcement agencies in third world and underdeveloped countries like the Philippines, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria runs rampant. So what is the answer and is there hope for change?             Democratic Policing Reform promises the adoption of a code of ethics, best practices, and across the board accountability of police misconduct. This is a pretty heavy promise however when we identify how deep the corruption is rooted in some countries. I remain skeptical of the situation. We can provide the roadmap and step-by-step plan to professionalizing a country’s justice system, but this amount of change requires systemic commitment and support from the public and governing force alike. Those roots and social norms, however immoral they may be when compared to our own, are hard to break away from (Sage Publications, 2014).             During my time deployed in Baghdad, Iraq I saw this waste of time, money, and resources firsthand. By 2008, US and Allied Forces were committed to re-building the Iraqi government and police force and did so by providing our own justice model and what new regime leaders thought would work. So we recruited, trained, and worked alongside a new Iraqi Police force built on a standardized code of ethics and training. We rebuilt the infrastructure, established precincts and judicial models. Tens of thousands of man-hours and millions of US dollars invested in establishing a self-governed law enforcement and justice system. Yet the minute US and Allied Forces left those we trained and worked alongside to their own devises and to work on their own, it was an instant regression back to pre-invasion behavior and all the unethical, social and cultural driven unprofessional conduct that previously drove a wedge in-between the Iraqi public and their government sponsored agents that work under the facade of a police uniform.  

US Law Enforcement Accountability: Global Impact

            The United States has been referenced as a model for professional law enforcement, innovative policing techniques, oversight and accountability for decades now. While a lot of positive change can be traced to periods of civil unrest, there is some strength and legitimacy gained from learning and innovating beyond strife and conflict. Our text substantiates this by identifying the contributions the United States made in establishing Global Norms and Standards in law enforcement. The United States has often acted as a catalyst for Global change, specifically through the multi-national task forces deployed throughout past years to support positive growth in justice systems in other conflict stricken countries. The International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) has been a global influencer on training and accountability through a number of multi-national deployments under the support of the Department of Justice. Through these best practices and Government funded activities the world has been able to reference the United States and United Nations for models on training and accountability. The text discusses the importance of establishing a code of ethics within a country’s criminal justice agencies so that accountability can be approached with a document to reference and substantiate the direction governments wish to take in innovating and professionalizing their police forces (Sage Publications, 2014).

Key Elements of Ethical, Effective, and accountable Law Enforcement

            There is no silver bullet regarding ethical, effective, and accountable policing. Each aspect requires top-down commitment throughout an agency that must have the support through policy, organizational values, and oversight to serve as the grounding rod for each area. Travis and Stone were onto something with regard to the understanding of what a “new professional” in law enforcement needs to embody. If you can arm an agency with necessary values, ethics and training; they are efficiently equipped to provide professional police work. Combine these areas with an extended commitment toward community oriented service, transparency, and oversight; you are set up for success in administering law enforcement services in a manner that supports legitimacy and maintains the public trust. Early on in the course we touched on the importance of having your finger on the pulse of your agency and community alike if you hope to be an effective, positive, and influential leader. In addition to the other elements needed, the positive relationships and bonds you establish with your officers and community members can affect a lot of positive change through rapport building, social learning, and allowing those who may be skeptical of your vision to see firsthand your level of commitment toward providing your community and agency with the professional service they deserve from their Guardians (Travis, 2011).  

Reference

Sage Publications. (2014). Chapter 16: Implementing Democratic Policing Reform. In C. Banks, Law Enforcement Ethics; Classic and Contemporary Issues (pp. 347-381). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

Travis, C. S. (2011). Toward a New Professionalism in Policing . National Institute of Justice; New Perspectives in Policing , 27.