Community Policing: An Overview of the Literature

• NCJ Number: 127072
• Author(s): D L Hall
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 15 pages
• Corporate Author: New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Community policing is becoming an increasingly popular medium for dealing with the crime and order maintenance problems of neighborhoods.

Abstract

It represents an effort to change policing from a largely reactive, incident-driving service to a more proactive, problem-solving practice. Community policing developed largely as an effort to stem community deterioration in urban areas. Research shows that it can reduce public fear, while increasing both citizen and police satisfaction. Key to improvements in troubled neighborhoods are approaches in which the police marshal resources from diverse organizations for the purpose of problem resolution. Although foot patrol programs have been weak in this liaison role, additional training and greater backup services may alleviate that problem. Clearly, the importance of the information linkage provided by ongoing foot patrols calls for its further development. Community policing programs are continually evolving to become more responsive to public needs. 4 notes and bibliography