Force Multiplier: People as a Policing Resource

Voluntary citizen participation in law enforcement may be carried out within public police organisations, in cooperation with police or purely as a citizen initiative. In any of its diverse forms, it is a gift of resources to police that carries with it both benefits and risks for them. Harnessing these resources in a way that maximizes benefits and minimizes risks presents police with a real challenge. This article surveys varieties of gifts of the person, explores some of their benefits, costs and risks, and considers ways in which identified risks might be minimized. The key to minimizing risks lies in carefully defining the nature and limits of these gifts, and in their oversight or monitoring by police. Finally, the article examines some possible implications of this burgeoning resource for the future compass of the public police role in security provision. Notes The author acknowledges the support of the Australian Research Council (DP0450247). The author would like to thank Professor Peter Grabosky and Dr. Lyn Hinds for their insightful comments on an earlier draft, and Professors Peter Drahos, Clifford Shearing, and Jenny Fleming for their assistance. The suggestions of two anonymous reviewers were also gratefully received. Contact information: Julie Ayling, Research Associate, Regulatory Institutions Network, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Building 8, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia. Telephone: 61 2 6125 6035. Fax: 61 2 6125 1507. E‐mail: julie.ayling@anu.edu.au