Implementation Challenges in Community Policing: Innovative Neighborhood-Oriented Policing in Eight Cities

• NCJ Number: 157932
• Author(s): Susan Sadd; Randolph M. Grinc
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 19 pages
• Publication Series: NIJ Research in Brief
• Grant Number(s): 91-DD-CX-0012
• Agencies: NIJ
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation

Annotation

This paper reported on the methodology and findings of an evaluation of Innovative Neighborhood-Oriented Policing (INOP) programs, which were established in eight urban and suburban sites in 1990, distinguished by their focus on neighborhood drug problems through police-community partnerships.

Abstract

The evaluation focused on implementation issues, notably the extent to which police officers understood and supported the projects and the degree to which other public agencies and the community were involved. The study also examined police and residents' perceptions of INOP's impact. Because the evaluation was conducted relatively soon after the programs were adopted, it could not assess long-term effects. The evaluation found that police officers generally did not understand community policing, and average citizens had less knowledge than community leaders about INOP and were reluctant to participate. The perceived effects of INOP on drug trafficking were mixed; they resulted in geographic and temporal displacement of markets. Most site residents believed their relationship with the police had improved, even where the effect on drugs, crime, and fear was believed to be minimal. INOP's limited success in reducing drug crime and fear may be related to the obstacles generally encountered in transforming program ideas into action. 1 exhibit and 7 notes