Participants at this 1994 conference considered the complexities of community policing in the 1990's, particularly in terms of improving the police function in response to public expectations and the relationship between police organizations and the criminal justice system.
The opening conference presenter noted that diversity in policing and the move from primary dependence on criminal law to a wide range of different responses represent significant changes in community policing. He also indicated that community policing initiatives cannot survive in traditionally managed police agencies. Other conference participants explored street-level community policing and drug law enforcement, the use of civil remedies as alternative sanctions, and personnel issues in community policing. In addition, conference participants addressed the Bureau of Justice Assistance's Community-Oriented Policing and Demonstration Program, how the abuse of force can undermine community policing, training for first-line supervisors, union perpectives on community policing, community policing in small cities and rural areas, alternative dispute resolution, and community partnerships. Finally, conference presentations dealt with drug trafficking and use, family violence, high-risk youth, immigrant communities, community connections with the elderly, municipal services for community policing, community policing in public housing, school violence, dispute mediation, technology and community safety, and crime victims.