Community Policing: The difference between community engagement and community relations


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LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) "What's really critical in community policing is that the general public, citizens and organizations are involved with the police in a really substantive way," said Public Safety Director Tom Casady.
For decades, according to Casady, community policing has been embedded into the Lincoln Police Department's organization. Over the past couple of years, it has become common for police departments to initiate community policing.
Casady said there is a difference in just building relationships and actually engaging in the community.
"Ultimately, citizens should be involved in major decisions that a police department makes. For example, election of a police chief, major promotions, important policy questions and oversight of the police. That's what we practice here in Lincoln and I think that's what distinguishes us from other cities that claim to be practicing community policing."
Anytime LPD considers a significant change in practice, the department tries to get input from citizens.
Scott Hatfield, the Owner of Duffy's Tavern, is on the Citizen Police Advisory Board, which hears complaints against the police department from people in Lincoln. "It's interesting, it's really allowed me to see how transparent the police department is."
According to Hatfield, when the board gets complaints from anyone, those complaints are heard and taken directly to the Chief of Police and the Head of Internal Affairs. He said, "It's a really good process."
Owning a business in downtown Lincoln, there are thousands and thousands of people coming through the area every night, according to Hatfield. 'It's an area we think we need to have a good relationship with the police department."

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