Leadership and Management : Global Warming Impact on Policing: An analysis of security preparedness

Abstract

In recent years a range of provocative thinkers have gathered in Canberra to debate
the impact of climate change on law enforcement beyond the 21st century. For nearly a
century, the police strategies have remained unchallenged. Police or security agencies
interchangeably have engaged in parallel strategies to prepare for the emerging issues and
enabled them to carry out their duties responsibly. Nowadays, the climate change concern
remains as the most futuristic obstacle that will pose serious problem to policing. The law
enforcement agencies previously have always enjoyed the privilege to acquire limitless
information, share ideas and experiences worldwide, to have adequate education and training
opportunities, and so developing a better understanding of police future conflict dimensions.
However, the flip side of the coin is that the entire world is quickly confronted with climate
change threats (Abbott, 2008), emerging security issues from various social, environmental
and political influences which did not previously fall under conventional notions of
“defence”. Within the next two decades, the demands for policing and expectation will be far
greater and more complex. Moreover, police leadership will be hit with high demands for
multi skilled forces and resources constraints. In addition, operational ambiguity will
contradict leadership strategic planning to achieve civility, order and security. The influx of
climate change refugees from neighbouring islands may contribute to the causes of violence
and unruly behaviour. In this situation, modern police skills, resources to high expectation to
serve the community should not be overlooked. Therefore, it is vital for the future leadership
in policing to identify those key trends that will demand law enforcement diligence in
achieving maximum expenditure of efforts and resources.