NCJ Number
170783
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 66 Issue: 12 Dated: (December 1997) Pages: 8-17
Date Published
1997
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The successful experience of the Whiteville, N.C., Police Department (WPD) with implementing community policing suggests strategies for other police agencies that are establishing community policing.
Abstract
The WPD has 26 sworn officers, 10 auxiliary officers, and 4 civilians. The patrol services, investigative services, narcotics, and accreditation divisions serve a city of 5,600 that is 65.5 percent white, 33.1 percent black, 1.1 percent Native American, and 0.5 percent Hispanic. Low morale in the agency and encouragement by community members formed the impetus for the move to community policing. The most important element in the successful implementation of community policing was the creation of the appropriate organizational culture to empower employees and help them understand the importance of customer satisfaction and the need to deliver quality services. The police chief introduced community policing slowly. During the first year, officers wrote their own personal mission statements and developed personal goals. The chief also instituted the total quality management principles of teamwork, participatory management, and continuous improvement in quality and productivity. Strategies crucial to the success of community policing included several specific actions by the police chief, the evolution of the program into a citywide effort, community involvement, an effective beat assignment system, careful recruitment and selection of community policing officers, training, and performance evaluation with progressive discipline. Photographs