Security as the Basis Behind Community Policing: Croatia’s Community Policing Approach

Abstract

The function of police in a contemporary democratic society in which the security norms have become a fundamental value, places the emphasis on prevention activities not only on criminal acts, but also on antisocial behaviour. The description of the role of police in the community and of police tasks in legal texts, such as the Police Act and the Act on Police Duties and Authorities, are a very important means for understanding the police as a social institution and service. From the adoption of the strategy on police actions in the community to the present day, the Croatian police have implemented a wide range of activities at the local, national and international level to strengthen and maintain all three dimensions that describe the Croatian approach to Community Policing. Community policing is not simply a technique or police tactic but a strategy that requires commitment and that would gain momentum with increased faith in the police as a community institution. This chapter discusses how the conditions were put into place for Community Policing in Croatia and outlines the implementation and execution of this strategy through the prevention-based EUCPN project.