Governing Through Crime

The need for security is a requirement in any society. Crime and threat of criminal activity are powerful motivations for passing policy measures in government, and public safety is the primary goal of law enforcement agencies. Apprehending criminals and being aware of the potential criminal activity are tasks that contribute to meeting the goals of law enforcement. Yet security is about more than protection. The work of law enforcement and other power-based groups also involves community outreach and developing positive relationships in the community.

[Page 448]There is a dual nature of security: On the one hand, cultivation of relationships of trust between the law enforcement and the public is necessary; on the other, law enforcement relies on the use of all available tools to identify and ...