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Integrating Eastern Programme Features in Western Community Policing: Balancing Individual Freedom and Collective Wellbeing

NCJ Number
240564
Journal
International Journal of Police Science & Management Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: Winter 2012 Pages: 343-361
Author(s)
Yumin R. Wang; Richard Lumb
Date Published
2012
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study examined how citizens living in Eastern and Western societies where there are community policing programs are policed and served.
Abstract
The community policing innovation was conceptualized on the basis of the Japanese koban system. It was introduced to the USA to democratize policing. However, the Empire of Japan initially learned modern policing from Western countries. In collaboration with the intelligence services, koban community policing effectively prevented crime as well as anti-government activities. The strategy was successfully replicated in Taiwan and Korea, the two colonies of Japan before World War II. The koban system has been transformed to become a strategy that delivers police services to citizens and simultaneously sustains national security while collaborating with the intelligence services. Western community policing programs intensify police service delivery to citizens. In the post-9/11 era, the influence of Federal law enforcement has expanded to include a collaborative and occasionally superseding role. If balancing individual freedom and collective wellbeing becomes possible in Western countries, Eastern community policing models may serve to enlighten the path in this quest. (Published Abstract)