FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT I WILL NEED YOU TO HELP ME OUT. BY WRITING A RESPOND TO EACH ONE OF THIS INDIVIDUAL. I WILL BE SENDING WAY MORE 8 MORE. ALL I NEED IS FOR YOU TO WRITE A RESPOND EITHER DISAGREEING  OR AGREEING WITH THEIR OPINION. IT COULD BE SHORT OR A LARGE RESPOND EITHER ONE IS FINE.   ALSO IF YOU COULD PLEASE WRITE A RESPOND AS SOON AS YOU READ THIS AND PLEASE SEND IT BACK TO ME, SO I COULD SEND YOU MORE. 

 

 

Bradley ButlerRE: General Question # 1: Police Relationship with the Community

Although policing in a rural or urban areas are different geographically and demographically, underneath it all they both have to deal with the same issues of policing. They deal with staffing, politics, crime, crime prevention and the community relations. In order to understand the difference of police community relationships between rural and urban areas, it is important to know the definition of police. Police is the "department of government concerned primarily with maintenance of public order, safety, health, and the enforcement of laws and possessing executive, judicial, and legislative powers." There are many definitions for the police, but they all come down to the same thing whether it is a rural area or urban area. Bottom line that police officers in the nation are not doing there job, or think they are above the law ! Strong relationships of mutual trust between police agencies and the communities they serve are critical to maintaining public safety and effective policing. Police officials rely on the cooperation of community members to provide information about crime in there neighborhoods, and work with the police to devise solutions to crime and disorder problems. Similarly community members willingness to trust the police depends on whether they believe that police actions reflect community values and incorporate the principles of justice and everything that our country stands for.

 

 

 

Amanda GauthierRE: General Question # 1: Police Relationship with the Community

Being on the front line of this issue I could see a few reasons why there is a gap between the community and law enforcement. The most obvious reason to me is the media.  Media can dictate how a story is perceived by the listener by the way it is reported. In this day and age facts aren't always the first thing reported. Journalist and reporters take it upon themselves to sensationalize a story by adding speculation and their own opinions. Because we all know bad news sells more papers and gets higher ratings. There are many times I'm watching shows like Nancy Grace and when she is talking to guest speakers who are trying to add facts to the story she talks over them and gives her opinions on the matter. We are living in a society where opinions trump facts.

I'm sure you have heard stories about your local law enforcement around this area over the past few years. As I responded to another classmate I was included in one of these articles. The reporter from the Watertown Daily Times wrote an article, which made front page news, in regards to a custody matter. This only made the news was because two officers were involved, my boyfriend, who is now my husband, and myself. 

People take what's reported in the paper, TV, and internet to be the absolute truth. If the media reported responsibly and with facts instead of trying to get ratings law enforcement might stand a chance, but we live in a society where things are reported before facts are rendered. We are often tried and convicted in the eyes of the public before facts are given. 

Secondly, I think society has a lack of knowledge as what we do as law enforcement officers. David Griffith said it better then I can, "most Americans, including activist and journalist, and politicians, have very little knowledge of what you actually do on the job." The community doesn't know what we deal with on a daily basis and how it affects an officer personally. We see the worst of society more often then the good. I always find it interesting when I watch programs  in which citizens are placed in situations in which we can encounter on the street on a daily basis and how quick they are to shoot, but they are willing to crucify officers for doing the same thing. I can tell you my goal on every shift is to make sure me and my co-workers go home safely at the end of shift. We train in shoot don't shoot scenarios several times a year as training, so we don't go pulling our gun out unless we think our lives or the life of a civilian is in danger. I have been involved in multiple suicidal subjects. These are some of the most nerve wracking calls because you are headed into a situation in which you know someone is suicidal. They are ready to end their live so why not take out me? For example, I once responded to a call in which an individual told dispatch and a Sergeant that if police officers responded they would be killed. Standing outside that house and watching someone come out with a shotgun is an experience many don't encounter. No officer, who respects their job or the community they work in, goes to work and says I think I'm going to kill someone today. In fact, thats the last thing I personally want to do. I got into this career field to make a difference. To help people when I can and protect the community I live in. 

I'm thankful for programs like shop with a cop and DARE that put officers in a positive light. I like to think that I'm not naive and that the officers that serve Watertown are generally respected and have not been affected like officers in larger cities. Do you feel the same way? Do you think the officers that serve your community generally are hard working and honest?