NCJ Number
138655
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 40 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1992) Pages: 46,56-58
Date Published
1992
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Community-oriented policing has three integral components: neighborhood-oriented policing, problemsolving policing, and strategic policing.
Abstract
Neighborhood-oriented policing is a strategy that encourages increased communication between officers on the street and average citizens. This facilitates officer awareness of the problems, capabilities, and needs of community residents. This communication also becomes the base for improved police-citizen cooperation in efforts to reduce crime and the fear of crime in the neighborhood. The procedures of problemsolving policing are scanning, analysis, response, and assessment. Scanning is officer determination that a problem exists; analysis involves a diagnosis of the problem and the development of alternative solutions; in the response stage, the best alternative is selected and implemented; assessment is a determination as to whether or not the problem has been resolved. Strategic policing, the final component of community policing, involves targeting police resources in accordance with carefully selected priorities so as to maximize cost benefit. The principles of community policing that underlie the three components are high visibility rapport with the community, fewer arrests as a more proactive and preventive role is assumed by police, and the decentralization of the police chain of command. 19 references