NCJ Number
191778
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 49 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2001 Pages: 55-58
Date Published
April 2001
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article explains the basic principles of community policing and what is involved in structuring a police department to perform community policing.
Abstract
Community policing in its simplest form is the development and fostering of a working relationship and a cooperative spirit between the community and its law enforcement agency, so as to better serve the community's needs and service expectations. All of the components and resources of the community are enlisted in activities that promote community safety. Popular forms of community policing have included foot patrols and bike patrols, which provide increased opportunities for police officers to interact with citizens and establish relationships of helping and cooperation. Types of community-policing programs include The DARE Program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), senior check-ups, citizen police academies, juvenile diversion, youth social worker availability, family crisis intervention, midnight basketball, and "officer friendly" initiatives in elementary schools. Community-policing initiatives require direction, organization, and implementation. The effort to achieve change requires sound judgment, analytical skills, problem-recognition and problem-solving skills, decision making, organizational capability, dedication, and exceptional communication skills. Community policing is a long-term process that must enlist all departmental personnel in a comprehensive change in organizational structure and tasks based on a significant change in policing philosophy and practice. This change must be accomplished in stages over time through appropriate hiring standards and practices as well as training.