Lecture Notes: Community Policing and the Camden Experience

Introduction

• Cultural shift from a warrior mentality to that of a guardian and community builder.
• Solutions to community problems are not found in force (guns and handcuffs).

The Camden Story

• Historical Context:

  • Previously a thriving community with stable jobs at Campbell’s Soup, General Electric, RCA.
  • Transitioned to one of the poorest and most dangerous cities.
  • Issues: high drug activity, low per capita income (<$13,000), frequent violent crimes.

• Personal Reflection:

  • Police Chief’s personal connection to Camden.
  • Motivation: Improve life quality and address systemic issues.

Challenges in Policing

• Department Issues:
  • Previous negative culture: apathy, lethargy, corruption.
  • High turnover in leadership.
• Community Issues:
  • High crime rates comparable to third-world countries.
  • Police force inadequacies (e.g., only three officers on busy nights).

Reformation of the Police Force

• Dismantling and Rebuilding:

  • Entire police department disbanded and replaced with a countywide force (Metro Division).
  • Focus shifts from arrests and tickets to relationship building.

• Community Engagement:

  • Officers encouraged to interact positively with the community.
  • Increase police presence in neighborhoods.
  • Focus on community relationships and presence over punitive measures.

Community Policing in Action

• Guardian Initiative:

  • Focus on youth engagement, preventing gang involvement.
  • Offering social services and support to at-risk youth.

• Community Involvement:

  • Reclaiming public spaces, reducing drug activity.
  • Building trust between police and community.

Training and Cultural Change

• Officer Training:

  • Focus on empathy, de-escalation, and non-lethal conflict resolution.
  • Scenario-based training to reduce reliance on force.
  • Leadership influence on officer behavior and community interaction.

• Cultural Values:

  • Emphasizing respect, dignity, and empathy in policing.
  • Understanding the historical distrust in communities of color.

Successes and Reflections

• Community Response:

  • Increased community trust and engagement.
  • Reduction in violent crime linked to youth.
  • Positive impact on community dynamics and perception of safety.

• Ongoing Challenges:

  • Continued issues with poverty and crime.
  • Importance of state and city efforts in revitalizing Camden.

Conclusion

• Community Policing:
  • Focus on making life better for city residents through respect and dignity.
  • Ongoing process without a definitive finish line. Community safety judged by daily life quality, not just crime statistics.