MAASAI MARA UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ARTS

DEPARTMEMT: SOCIAL STUDIES

COURSE TITLE: POLICE AND SOCIETY

COURSE CODE: CRP 1211-1

LECTURER: DR. AMADI OWOUR

GROUP 3 MEMBERS

GROUP 3 MEMBERS

GROUP LEADER: AGNES NYABOKE

1 AGNES NYABOKE AB08/SR/ 0803/23

2 IRENE MORARA AB08/SR/4461/23

3 KELVIN GAMBO AB08/SR/0629/23

4 SHARON OMAYO AB08/SR/0805/23

5 EMANUEL KIPCHUMBA AB08/SR/0703/23

6 CHARLES METIACH AB08/SR/0690/23

7 KELVIN WANJIKU AB08/SR/0718/23

8 ADRIAN OTIENO AB08/SR/0793/23

9 ESTHER KINARO AB08/SR/2084/23

10 CASON MAYAMBI AB08/SR/MN/17664/22

11 KETILE PETER AB08/SR/0727/23

QUESTION: DISCUSS CRIME FIGHTING AND PUBLIC SERVANT MISSION

Comparing the Crime Fighter Model and Public Servant Model in Policing

The debate between the crime fighter model and the public servant model in policing is a
complex one, with both models having their own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Crime Fighter Model:

The crime fighter model focuses on the suppression of criminality through aggressive tactics and
a militaristic approach to law enforcement.
It prioritizes achieving successful prosecution, often at the expense of civil and human rights.
Examples such as the Jon Burge case in Chicago and the Rampart scandal in LA highlight the
extreme abuses of power that can occur under this model.
The emphasis on crime suppression can lead to violations of civil rights, abuse of police
discretion, and a presumption of guilt rather than innocence.

Public Servant Model:

In contrast, the public servant model views police officers as community mediators and agents of
civility.
It emphasizes collaboration, community-oriented policing, and working with communities to
maintain peace.
Officers under this model are seen as social services representatives rather than warriors fighting
crime.
The public servant model aims to build trust with communities, reduce crime through community
engagement, and prioritize preserving civil rights.

Comparison:
While both models aim to maintain peace, they do so through vastly different approaches.
The crime fighter model is criticized for its heavy-handed tactics, abuse of power, and disregard
for civil liberties.
On the other hand, the public servant model is praised for its focus on community relations, trust-
building, and effective crime reduction through community engagement.
Conclusion:
In modern policing discussions and based on contemporary research findings, it appears that the
public servant model is superior in achieving law enforcement goals compared to the crime
fighter model. By fostering trust within communities, engaging in collaborative policing efforts,
and prioritizing civil rights preservation while effectively reducing crime rates, the public servant
model stands out as a more effective and ethical approach to modern policing.

REFERENCES:
Cohn, N., & Quealy, K. (2020) - Article from The Salt Lake Tribune discussing public opinion
shifts related to Black Lives Matter.
Johnson, W. (2018) - Publication on Community Policing Dispatch highlighting research on
community policing effectiveness.
Peyton, K., Sierra-Arevalo, M., & Rand, D. (2019) - Field experiment study on community
policing and police legitimacy published in PNAS.