Future of policing in Alberta

Putnam’s (2000) analysis of diminished civic participation in the latter part of the 20th century identifies the indicators of the erosion of social networks and the implications for our society. [...] Putnam argues that the lack of social capital and its derivative, civic participation, has contributed to the degeneration of inner cities, the rise of crime, and the lack of safety and security in large urban centres. [...] It also underscores the importance of re-engaging the public as partners of police to increase safety in neighbourhoods and ultimately the larger society.2 Social Control Stemming from the level of cohesion of a society, social control is a central theme in policing theories as it shapes the instances where either citizens or police are responsible for safety. [...] Democracy and Ethics in Policing Just as the roles of police align with the type of society being policed, likewise the roles and functions of police will reflect the democratic ideals of society. [...] These police responsibilities are continually changing, depending not only on the level of involvement of governments, but also on the requirements of the society being policed and the desires of the community members.