What do Police Do and How Effective are They

Policing in Australia has emerged from traditional philosophies, to a face of policing that is “inextricably linked with leadership. Examples of this are “surveillance of public order and intervention and monitoring of specific group’s in particular locations. It is this general policing department which stands to be the most visible to the community and maintains order, public safety and security throughout Victoria. ” Traditional policing primary role is a broad aspect relating to crime fighting, whilst community policing seeks to keep the peace.

Besides the mentioned roles, a police force, which works as a bureaucracy, has many other facets, which contribute to its operation. However, by adopting this modern day strategy of community policing, police officers have a daunting task of having to practice and learn new philosophies of law enforcement. As mentioned above the various forms of policing – community and traditional also contribute to the roles preformed by a police force and particularly its members. Police culture has had an immense impact on Australian Society, with examples ranging from the Eureka Stockade and the hunt of Ned Kelly and the Kelly gang, all of which hold a significant aspect of not only the police history in Australia but Australian history altogether. Which in some cases has resulted in “law and order practitioners confusion and, in many cases, disenchantment. I shall begin by firstly discussing the main objectives of a police force. There are mechanisms involved in police accountability such as, internal investigation units within police departments, Ministerial and Departmental Review and Special Enquires such as the Royal Commission. Such issues include types of policing, main task orientations and various agencies and their purposes. Other duties include things such as Order Maintenance and Conflict Resolution, which involves the ability to resolve and monitor disruptive situations. ” – The control of crowds at demonstrations or public events. Police powers range from an informal caution to the ability to Arrest.