Progressive Policing: Moving from Singular to Plural

Introduction

In the late 19th century, plural policing gained popularity among scholars, social researchers, and private security institutions. It is a social movement for progressive change in public security and criminal justice, aimed at increasing citizen betterment and legal advancement. Progressiveness is hence measured by level of integrity; inclusiveness; democracy, transparency, accountability, involvement and fairness. 

Police was coined from the Greek work "politeria" with primary responsibilities to protect lives and properties, prevent crime and maintain peace in the society. Unfortunately, they have misplaced priorities, dragged their reputation in the mud and given preference to their forbidden fruits - corruption, bribery, nepotism, inequity, and perversion. The realities of the identified traits in our society today, justifies the need for a practical approach in public security - a demand for greater accountability and equity. 

Plural Policing

It is a pluralistic and inclusive concept that understands the current oppression; the absolute corruption of power in singularism and proposes full representation of rich and poor, privileged and non-privileged, vulnerable and capable.  Plural policing is the need to implement a humanistic approach in criminal justice rather than animalistic and brutality. Private companies are hence employed and incorporated into public security to advocate for the powerless and voiceless. 

Plural policing can be described as the new wave in public security. A Progressive security sector can only be achieved when we rely on fairness in sampling credible opinions rather than the over reliance on "some people's" opinions and judgements. Humans are subjective, with high possibility of nepotism and prejudice in their dictates, actions and inaction, so "majority" should be included in every form of criminal justice and public security.  Accessibility to multiple opinions gives room for comprehensive surety of equity. 

Progressive policing is a selfless service of maintaining peace and order but today, our police are unwilling to embark on foot patrol in carrying out their primary responsibilities. No wonder the private security organisations have overtaken in the securing of private institutions and protecting human rights of individuals. The "credibility" of outsourced private institutions has drastically upturned the sad story. 

Progressive public security conjoins with equity. Plural policing is a means to overcome discrimination and inequity. The habit of police treating citizens like children, tossing them around and leaving them frustrated and shattered can be checked in plural policing which provides a solid structure that speaks for the voiceless. 

Key Points

Policing has been mixed with personality and politics and this has led to the fall of its legacy. 

Private organisations should be employed in public security and criminal justice to enhance progressiveness.

Pluralism in policing must be embraced and seen as a full representation of the nation.

Policing is not a power to oppress, it is a call to equity, justice and progress.