Open AccessRace, Place, and Effective Policing
Author(s) -
Anthony A. Braga,
Rod K. Brunson,
Kevin M. Drakulich
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
annual review of sociology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.866
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1545-2115
pISSN - 0360-0572
DOI - 10.1146/annurev-soc-073018-022541
Subject(s) - criminology , disadvantaged , community policing , law enforcement , race (biology) , enforcement , political science , crime control , crime prevention , public relations , criminal justice , sociology , law , gender studies
The police need public support and cooperation to be effective in controlling crime and holding offenders accountable. In many disadvantaged communities of color, poor relationships between the police and residents undermine effective policing. Weak police–minority community relationships are rooted in a long history of discriminatory practices and contemporary proactive policing strategies that are overly aggressive and associated with racial disparities. There are no simple solutions to address the complex rift between the police and the minority communities that they serve. The available evidence suggests that there are policies and practices that could improve police–minority community relations and enhance police effectiveness. Police departments should conduct more sophisticated analysis of crime problems to ensure that crime-control programs are not indiscriminate and unfocused, engage residents in their crime reduction efforts by revitalizing community policing, ensure procedurally just police contacts with citizens, and implement problem-solving strategies to prevent crimes beyond surveillance and enforcement actions.