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Reading About "Community (Oriented) Policing" and Police Models

NCJ Number
194668
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 24 Issue: 4 Dated: 2001 Pages: 470-496
Author(s)
Paul Ponsaers
Date Published
2001
Length
27 pages
Annotation
The article reviews conclusions regarding social science police modeling as formed through the work of criminal justice seminar participants during the 1999-2000 school year.
Abstract
During the 1999-2000 academic year the author and Professor Dr. Lode Van Outrive each taught criminal justice seminars about police models. Each professor and class reviewed existing criminal justice literature in order to develop a realistic picture of social scientists’ perceptions about police and policing. The article is the result of the author’s comparison of the findings of the two classes and the final product is intended to be a reference tool for the analysis of current social science policing models. In the author’s view, to be an identifiable police model, the model must have an identifiable philosophy and methodology. The author identifies nine major policing models: military, state or bureaucratic; lawful (crime fighting); broad-scope; multi-agency; community oriented; problem-solving; technological led; informational led; broken windows; zero tolerance; and public-private divided. An overview of each model is provided along with a statement of each model’s features as applied to eight standard model characteristics. Those model characteristics are discretion, accountability, public relations, officer professionalism, legitimacy, crime prevention, pro-active or reactive approach and the organizational view of the function of the law. Ultimately, this analysis leads the author to the conclusion that there are only four main policing models, military-bureaucratic, lawful, public-private divided, and community-oriented policing. 9 tables, 6 notes, 58 references