The Role of Police in Community Safety Essay

Total Length: 706 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 1+

Page 1 of 2

Prevention of Public Offense

In some jurisdictions refusing to assist a sheriff or a peace officer in a situation where they deem it would be practically difficult to arrest an offender is deemed as an offense. Certain jurisdictions might treat it as a misdemeanour while others would charge you with aiding in abetting of a crime. The principle originated from Norman, England but has subsequently become part of common law. All persons are under legal obligation to assist a police officer or peace officer when so requested. In the United States, states have crafted laws that compel individuals to assist law enforcement officers when requested to varying levels of criminal punishment, from violation to misdemeanour.

Arizona Codes are no exemption from other jurisdictions within the United States. In Title 13-3802 captures the right to command aid for execution of process. It also stipulates punishment meted on people who resist process. Part A of the code states that when a sheriff or a public while executing his duties, for instance, lawful arrest is of the opinion that resistance will be made to execution of the process, the police officer or a peace officer may command the inhabitants of the county within that vicinity to assist in overcoming such resistance.

Stuck Writing Your "The Role of Police in Community Safety" Essay?

What the law is not clear about is instances when the person to be arrested is armed and dangerous. In that case if the inhabitants fail to aid the officer effecting the rest, will they be criminally liable? Another thing that is not clearly stipulated is injuries sustained by the victim or the person aiding in making the arrests (Law9.com, 2015). In case of an injury to the victim who becomes criminally liable? If the victim gets injured, who becomes criminally liable? Part B of this code spells out punishment meted on people who refuse to assist officers in carrying out lawful duties. It asserts that the officer may certify to the court the names of those individuals and they may be proceeded against for contempt of court.

In Alaska, for instance, the Criminal Law Chapter 56, Offenses Against Public Administration, Section 720, spells out an offense somebody who refuses to assist a Peace Officer or a Judicial Officer commits. Part A of that section, states that a person who refuses to assist a peace officer or judicial officer in exercise of official duties, upon request, command, or order,….....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"The Role Of Police In Community Safety" (2018, May 20) Retrieved July 4, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/role-police-community-safety-2169673

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"The Role Of Police In Community Safety" 20 May 2018. Web.4 July. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/role-police-community-safety-2169673>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"The Role Of Police In Community Safety", 20 May 2018, Accessed.4 July. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/role-police-community-safety-2169673