Policing agencies are law enforcement agencies. The main purpose of policing agencies is to enforce the existing law of the country. Therefore, the police have power to arrest people who go against the law. The paper will discuss social utility of policing agencies. It will also discuss social changes that are necessary to deconstruct policing agencies and the values that govern policing agencies. Therefore, the paper will help understand social utility of policing agencies.
No society can operate without policing agencies. Policing agencies are charged with the responsibility of ensuring there is law and order in the country. They are given the power to enforce legislations as stipulated by the constitution. The government is being held with the responsibility of ensuring safety and welfare of its citizens (Carrabine, 2004). A state that cannot protect the lives and property of its people is a failed state. Therefore, this is done through the provision of a well-trained, equipped, responsive, and disciplined police force. In a growing democracy, the police institution is charged with more roles of nurturing and sustaining the democratic process. On a broader perspective, the police play a critical role in ensuring social cohesion and political and economic development of any society. No one is ever perfect; people at times fall on the wrong side of the law.
Crime is an inseparable part of human beings. They can never be completely separated, man is to error and error is to man. In order to establish the extent to which people can go, some control is necessary to make sure there is sanity in the society (Carrabine, 2004). Anyone who goes against what is set as a general rule to govern human behavior and interaction is made to face the full course of law. The police have the power to arrest anyone who violates the law. They exist to curb or halt different problems facing the society, such as traffic violations, theft, kidnapping cases, murders, and drug abuse. These are daily problems that occur in a mundane society, and the police are given power to use force in an attempt of arresting law breakers.
There are certain values that must govern policing agencies as they endeavor to serve the public. The values act as a guide to how they interact with the community. The abuse of power can be dangerous. Some police officers use power to detain citizens, search personal properties and make an arrest (Chesney-Lind & Mauer, 2011) Therefore, this will indeed create a gap between law enforcers and citizens. An ordinary citizen expects the police to use the power responsibly in accordance to the principles of democracy for the good of all. There are certain social changes that need addressing in order to narrow down this gap. Its time reforms are created in the police force.
Trust is an issue that is failing the police agencies. The police have been caught in many deals and situations that betray public trust. Most people will fear revealing crucial information to the law enforcers, because they are not sure it will be treated with utmost confidentiality. In order to build a robust police force, the police need to come up with strategies that aim at earning public trust. Citizens expect that they will use the power reasonably for the good of everyone and not for personal gains (Carrabine, 2004). They are always expected to act in respect of citizens’ rights as provided by the constitution. Different police agencies should also work together in the provision of security services. They should cooperate in all areas of national security.
The police agencies should ensure equity to all people. In order to have a solid influence, the police should respect every individual and treat him/her fairly during apprehension. There are cases when police are known to take sides. They deny the other victim a chance for fair representation and even accuse him/her wrongly. In order to strengthen relationships between the public and the police, the force should give every victim a fair hearing and make an arrest when there is a reasonable doubt that the person is guilty (Carrabine, 2004).
The police agencies should be ethical. Their actions should reflect integrity; they should be polite where possible and avoid incidences where the police are caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. The police should be trained to be an example to the society and should be people of good character, excellent moral behavior, and high reputation. Hence, this will minimize incidences where officers are caught in questionable compromising situations like corruption. A background check should be done to ensure that the officers are free from any criminal records before being recruited to the police force.
The police should also be objective in their dealings. They should hold on to what is right and be trained on the fundamental principles of every individual. They should know which actions to take in particular cases and how to stand their grounds. The police force should be made by people who understand their constitution and its application. The police agents should be fast in embracing change. The world is dynamic, and the police should adapt with the recent social changes in order to remain efficient and effective in the delivery of services to citizens (Carrabine, 2004).
Formalized social control is necessary nowadays, since things keep changing every day. With a formalized system, there are laws and regulations governing almost everything, may it be property, animals or life. The society has grown in size and complexity and therefore can only be regulated from a written set of laws passed by an authorized body. Law does not condone certain types of actions and therefore provides penalties to violators (Chesney-Lind & Mauer, 2011).
Human beings are naturally self-centered and would do anything for their good. Therefore, before extending love to the other person or neighbor, self-love comes first. In an informal society, one would be ridiculed, put to shame, and criticized for irresponsible behavior. In the worst cases, one would be excluded from the community. One would argue his/ her case for his/her own good by being self-centered.
In conclusion, policing agencies are responsible in enforcing law in the country. The police have the power to arrest any person who breaks the law to make sure there is sanity in the society. Several values govern policing agencies to make sure they interact well with the society. These agencies ensure that people live in harmony in the society.