How Are Officers Different From Civilians?

Police officers play an integral part in keeping our communities safe, and without them, everyone would sleep less soundly at night. But there are other individuals in our community who have a part in keeping it safe as well. Neighborhood watch members and homeowners who are aware of their neighbors and their neighborhood also play an important part in maintaining the security of our streets. Both are different than one another but together they work hard to protect our communities.

What Makes The Police Different Than The Neighborhood Watch

Police officers differ from civilians and neighborhood watch members in many ways, though notably in the areas of equipment carried and training. This additional equipment and training give police officers more authority and responsibilities than civilians. Since the police handle community safety as a part of their jobs, civilians should defer to them in all areas of community policing.

How Can Civilians Help Law Enforcement Officials?

Civilians and members of the neighborhood watch or volunteer policing agencies may not have the equipment or training that police officers have, but they can still assist law enforcement officials in many ways.

The most powerful thing an individual can do to help prevent crime is to be aware of their surroundings and to know what to do in certain situations. Talk with your neighbors, or consider meeting up with your local police department and participating in some of their free programs; your local police will be glad to share crime prevention tips with you. Before meeting with your local authorities, you should compile a list of possible or common crimes in your area and then ask your local authorities how to deal with them.

A few simple things can help make your neighborhood safer;

Keep an eye on suspicious behavior
Be aware of empty homes
Remind community members how to keep safe, like not going jogging alone or in the dark
Get tips from local officials on how to handle emergencies efficiently
Know what to do for injuries, i.e. basic first aid, CPR, etc.
Learn how to identify suspicious behavior
Learn basic self defense
Take basic security measures with your own property, i.e. lock doors and windows when you go out

Different neighborhoods have different problems, and this should be something you consider before talking to law enforcement officials about crime prevention in your neighborhood. If you know that certain types of crime are prevalent in your area, you can then learn how to recognize and prevent that crime. For example, the Seattle police department has information about the prevention of crimes common in the Seattle area:

The first step towards preventing crime is wanting to prevent it. Just being aware that there is crime in your community puts you on alert and makes you less of a target. More information about crime prevention can be found at your local police department's website.

It should be noted that while civilians can and should assist police officials whenever they can, civilians should never involve themselves in crimes when police officers are on the scene. Stopping crimes in progress should be left to the professionals and if civilians insert themselves into the situation, they could endanger themselves and others. Use common sense when deciding whether or not to assist in the prevention of crime and remember, calling 911 should always be your first response to a crime in progress.

For more information about helping keep your community safe, check out your local Neighborhood Watch or Block Watch website.