Throughout the years, policing practices have begun to evolve and cater to the needs and safety of those within disadvantaged groups to eliminate the risks of crime and victimisation. The roles of the police within greater communities are about preventing crime, investigating, peacekeeping and maintaining public order. In particular, one group that the police focues on is those with cognitive disabilities or mental impairments, which defines people with autism, dementia, mental illnesses, intellectual disabilities and psychological disorders. This essay will explore those different police practices that have been implemented to improve police efficiency, the barriers between both police with those who are impaired or disabled, and what makes
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This is because there are several barriers that occur such as a lack of knowledge of the criminal justice system or crimes, mental or communicative limitations, an inability to adequately report crimes or enough evidence due to learning/intellectual disabilities (Hughes et al 2011). Another reason is a fear of unjust treatment by enforcement agencies against people with disabilities such as agencies believing that a person with a impairment or disability can’t live independently (Hughes et al 2011). These negative perceptions and beliefs of police and the criminal justice system play an important role as police are unable to resolve the crimes they may be subject to. To resolve these barriers and the lack of resources that the police obtain, specialised officers, volunteers, awareness and connection agencies have been introduced to create a better relationship between police and mentally impaired or disabled agencies and people (Hughes et al 2011). These strategies allow both policing agencies and disabled or impaired individuals to harness a strong relationship with each other and eliminate any …show more content…
It was shown there has been an uprise in recent years with the police implementing policies, programs, outreach techniques and the creation of new relationships to eliminate any hate crimes or victimisation against disabled or mentally impaired individuals. Therefore the police practices that have been enforced are effective, although more work needs to be done in relation to the reporting of crimes so that cognitively disabled or mentally impaired individuals are not classified as a disadvantaged
This is because there are several barriers that occur such as a lack of knowledge of the criminal justice system or crimes, mental or communicative limitations, an inability to adequately report crimes or enough evidence due to learning/intellectual disabilities (Hughes et al 2011). Another reason is a fear of unjust treatment by enforcement agencies against people with disabilities such as agencies believing that a person with a impairment or disability can’t live independently (Hughes et al 2011). These negative perceptions and beliefs of police and the criminal justice system play an important role as police are unable to resolve the crimes they may be subject to. To resolve these barriers and the lack of resources that the police obtain, specialised officers, volunteers, awareness and connection agencies have been introduced to create a better relationship between police and mentally impaired or disabled agencies and people (Hughes et al 2011). These strategies allow both policing agencies and disabled or impaired individuals to harness a strong relationship with each other and eliminate any …show more content…
It was shown there has been an uprise in recent years with the police implementing policies, programs, outreach techniques and the creation of new relationships to eliminate any hate crimes or victimisation against disabled or mentally impaired individuals. Therefore the police practices that have been enforced are effective, although more work needs to be done in relation to the reporting of crimes so that cognitively disabled or mentally impaired individuals are not classified as a disadvantaged