POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Introduction
Communities rely on police departments to "protect and serve" and the police, in
turn, rely on community support and cooperation, but the relationship is not always
harmonious. 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 their neighborhoods, and to 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 procedural justice and legitimacy. In the wake of recent
incidents involving police use of force and other issues, the legitimacy of the police has
been questioned in many communities
What is a POLICE COMMUNITY
RELATIONS?
Police–community relations refers to the ongoing and changing
relationship between the police and the communities they serve.
This includes issues of cooperation, race relations, fear of police,
violence, and corruption.
Types of Police Community Relation
1. Public Information Program
- Designed to bridge the communication gap between the police and the public.
Forms of Media used:
a. Personal Media
- Consists of face-to-face communication , such as meetings, rallies, delivering speeches and house-to-
house visitation.
b. Mass Media
- Includes printed matter and audio-visual communications.
2. Public Relations Program
- Designed to maintain harmony and mutual support between the police and the community.
- Designed to “sell” the police to the public.
3. Civic Action Program
- Designed to maintain and encourage community
development.
4. Psychological Program
- Designed to condition both friendly and hostile public,
ensuring the facilitation of the attainment of police objectives.
DUTIES OF PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
1. He shall issue press releases from time to time regarding police activities which
are public concern;
2. He shall build good image through actual commendable performance, without
inefficiency and corruption; and
3. He shall evaluate public opinion and attitude with respect to policies, methods,
and personnel of the police stations.
MEASURES TO ENHANCE POLICE PUBLIC IMAGE
1. Increased police visibility through the dispersal of personnel from the headquarters to the field offices;
2. Efficient and optimized delivery of police services to the communities;
3. Constant dialogues and meetings with the barangay officials in their respective territorial jurisdictions;
4. Community service-oriented policing by conducting seminars for the traffic aides, police aides, and the
barangay tanod; and
5. Coordination with the media for image-enhancing projects.
THE POLICE OFFICER’S INDIVIDUAL AND
PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS
• Categories of Individual Public Relations
1. Domestic Relations- Police Officer’s dealing with his family , parents and immediate relatives.
2. Neighborhood Relations- Police Officer’s dealing with his neighbors.
3. Community Relations- Police Officers’ dealing with citizens of the community, city or town where he
lives, and his membership or contribution to the civic organization or community associations in the locality.
4. Church Relations- Police Officer’s dealings with the religious congregation or faith where he belongs.
5. Government Relations- Police Officer’s dealings with the government and its instrumentalities.
Categories of Professional Public
Relations
1. Intra-Departmental Relations – Police Officers relations with men and
women in his own department, superiors, the station commanders as well as the
city or municipality mayors where he is assigned.
2. Inter-Departmental Relations – Police Officers relations with other police
agencies.
3. Citizens’ Relations –includes all dealings or contacts with the citizens in
relation to the enforcement of the law and maintenance of peace and order, together
with the giving of information to the public of criminal and non-criminal activities.
4. Complainants’ Relation – includes a police officer’s dealings with complaints,
the techniques of interviews, manner of approach, and treatment of witnesses, as well
as informers or assets.
5. Relation with Accused Persons – consists of proper treatment of suspects, the
recognition of their constitutional rights during custodial investigation and the
handling of accused persons during confinement.
6. Relations with the State Prosecutors or Fiscals –includes a peace officer’s
duty to cooperate during preliminary investigations and gatherings of further
evidence when so recovered by the fiscal.
7. Judicial Relations – consist of peace officer’s duties towards the
courts when appearing as witnesses and the honesty in testimony.
8. Governmental Relations – includes dealings with other non police
agencies of the government both national and local; in connection with
official duties such as request for verification coordination, or whatever help
are needed.
Community Oriented Policing System
Community Oriented Policing System
Community policing or problem-oriented policing is the latest
and most popular innovation in the police field in lieu of the traditional
"911" approach. ... The promise of community policing lies in its
capacity to address a wide range of social and physical problems that
contribute to neighborhood crime and fear of crime.
LEGAL BASES
Declaration of Policy for the PNP under Section 2, R.A. No. 6975
THE COMMUNITY AND SERVICE-ORIENTED POLICING SYSTEM
1. To promote peace and order
2. Ensure public safety
3. Further strengthen local government capability aimed towards the effective delivery of the basic
services to the citizenry
The State shall bolster a system of coordination and cooperation among the:
1. Citizenry
2. Local executives
3. The integrated law enforcement and public safety agencies
From COPS to CSOP Concept
IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES FOR COMMUNITY AND SERVICE
ORIENTED POLICING SYSTEM (CSOP) AT THE CITY/MUNICIPAL LEVEL
For LCE/LEs, the PNP and Mobilized Community
Impact of Community Service and Oriented
Policing
• Improved Police Service Delivery
• Supportive Local Executives
• Strengthened Community Partnerships
End of Presentation
References:
• https://napolcom.gov.ph/pgs/framework.pdf
• https://www.rand.org/topics/police-community-relations.html
• https://dpcr.pnp.gov.ph/portal/images/downloads/Publication/PCR%20Ma
nual%202012.pdf
