Experience
I have not been in the police profession for very long; however, my 36 years in the military, commanding men and women at every level of command, including the general officer level, has given me the training, experience, and understanding of how to organize effective systems and processes that can translate to an effective strategy. In addition, over the past seven years, I have had the opportunity to discuss law enforcement challenges with policing, recruiting, training, mental health, and retention with many police officers at the patrol officer level to chiefs of police, sheriffs, commissioners, prosecutors, defense attorneys, mental health and social work professionals, members of many communities, and convicted lawbreakers. I have talked with many local, state, and federal law enforcement organizations and civil rights organizations about the same topics.
I will stipulate that I am neither an expert nor a senior police official. I am the most junior patrol officer in my department. In my quest to self-educate, I found the amount of information, studies, theories, articles, and opinions overwhelming and impossible for one person to research and absorb. However, I gave it my best shot, and I approach this with respect, humility, and admiration for those in the law enforcement profession.
Special Operations Training
My Special Operations training, education, and experience have allowed me to conduct training and operations in many countries that require law order, security, and safety of citizens by police and military organizations. In Afghanistan, I helped create and lead the most successful population-centric program in the villages of Afghanistan. The program created Afghan Local Police who were trained to protect the population against the Taliban and al Qaeda. The program, known as village stability operations, helped to secure over 90% of Afghanistan’s rural areas, bringing peace, safety, and stability to Afghan villages. The Afghan Local Police were respected and trusted by the populace. The lessons I learned about population-centric programs and humanitarian assistance programs in a combat zone apply to effective policing. We did have instances of misconduct, but they were dealt with effectively and efficiently, with accountability being the highest priority. I learned this can be done through quality leadership, better training, accountability, and community engagement.
There are many policies, strategies, operational approaches, and tactics in the best way to conduct war, recruit, train, employ, resource, and retain military personnel. None of them is a panacea. They must be based on quality leadership, adaptability, flexibility, change, and focus on the future.
Law Enforcement Studies
In my law enforcement study, I have found many criminal justice theories, and just like the military, they must be adaptable, flexible, change, and focused on quality leadership and the future. There are no criminal justice theories that are a panacea. Some theories have faired better than others, but no one theory identifies and solves all the problems. Some of the theories I have reviewed are “Policing in the twenty-first Century,” “The Routine Activity Theory,” “The Broken Window Theory,” “The Environmental Theory,” The intelligence-led Theory of Policing,” and “The Loss Prevention Theory.”
I also studied the de-fund police theory and the associated ideas surrounding this theory and found it to be the most dangerous theory ever promoted and conceived. There are many reasons, but the critical two are that it defies common sense and hurts the people it intends to protect. The lesson of Burlington, Vermont, is representative of its failures, regrets, and costs. Burlington decided to slash almost 30 percent of its police force by attrition. Since then, city leaders have been forced to reckon with the unintended consequences of that decision, including problems with public safety and quality of life, police and residents say. Almost a year and a half later, no one, it seems, is happy. Not even the councilor who proposed the resolution. (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/burlington-vermont-defunded-police-force-s-happened-rcna8409)
The narrative that law enforcement officers are a threat to communities has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, fueled by incidents of police brutality and misconduct that have garnered widespread media attention. Activists and advocacy groups have seized upon these incidents to argue for defunding the police, implementing less punitive prosecuting strategies, and vilifying law enforcement officers as a whole.
Dedicated Professionals
While it is undeniable that there have been instances of misconduct and abuse by some police officers, it is crucial to recognize that the vast majority of law enforcement officers are dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe. Police officers put their lives on the line daily to protect and serve, and they deserve our respect and support.
The narrative that paints all police officers as a threat to communities is harmful and misplaced. It undermines the vital role that police play in maintaining public safety and order. Without law enforcement officers, our society would descend into chaos, with crime rates skyrocketing and public safety decreasing. By vilifying and demonizing police officers, we are only hurting ourselves and our communities.
The push to defund the police and adopt less effective prosecuting strategies is also misguided. Police departments are already stretched thin, and cutting their budgets will make it harder for them to do their jobs effectively. In addition, implementing less punitive prosecuting strategies will only embolden criminals and make our communities less safe.
It is essential to hold law enforcement officers accountable for their actions and to work towards reforming the criminal justice system to ensure that it is fair and just for all. However, demonizing police officers as a whole and advocating for their defunding is not the answer. We need to support our police officers and work with them to build safer and more just communities for all.
A Comprehensive Approach to Policing
The crime-fighting strategy of presence, engagement, enforcement, and crime statistics analysis is a proven methodology that has been successful in keeping crime rates low and ensuring public safety in many communities. This comprehensive approach focuses on utilizing law enforcement resources strategically to address specific types of crimes and their locations effectively.
The presence of law enforcement officers in communities serves as a deterrent to criminal activity and helps to build trust between the police and community members. By engaging with residents and businesses, officers can gather valuable information about crime trends and concerns, which can inform their enforcement efforts. Analyzing crime statistics allows law enforcement agencies to identify patterns and hotspots of criminal activity, enabling them to target their resources more efficiently.
To successfully implement this crime-fighting strategy, public support is crucial. Community members play a vital role in providing information to law enforcement and working collaboratively to address public safety concerns. Adequate funding, training, and resources are also essential to support the efforts of law enforcement agencies in implementing this methodology effectively.
A Proactive Approach
By employing a combination of presence, engagement, enforcement, and crime statistics analysis, law enforcement agencies can tailor their response to specific crime challenges facing their communities. This proactive approach helps to prevent crime, apprehend offenders, and create a safer environment for all residents.
In conclusion, the success of this methodology relies on the collaboration between law enforcement agencies, community members, and other stakeholders. By working together and supporting law enforcement efforts, we can reduce crime rates, enhance public safety, and build stronger, more resilient communities.
Donald C. Bolduc
