Community Policing and Problem Solving: Strategies and Practices, Third Edition

• NCJ Number: 193515
• Author(s): Kenneth J. Peak; Ronald W. Glensor
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 480 pages
• Sale Source: Prentice Hall Publishing
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This book examines the practice of community oriented policing and problem solving (COPPS) and the innovative strategies that can be used with this initiative.

Abstract

The first three chapters of the book examine the techniques and challenges of COPPS. The discussion includes a history of policing, some of the policing changes in the United States, the actions that police must take in response to these changes, and how governments and the police ought to involve the community in making neighborhoods safe. Chapter 4 discusses the concepts of community policing and problem oriented policing. It is argued that the problem solving process is the officers’ primary tool for understanding crime and disorder. Crime analysis and mapping tools used to support problem solving are also discussed. Chapter 5 examines crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) and situational crime prevention. These techniques help officers understand how opportunities for crime can be stopped and how environments can be developed to decrease a person’s vulnerability to crime. Chapter 6 looks at the need for police organizations to think strategically about future challenges and Chapter 7 addresses how police officers must change their culture in order to fully embrace COPPS. Chapter 8 examines why police officers are a challenging learning audience and Chapter 9 focuses on the history of relations between minorities and the police and how COPPS can enhance those relations. Chapter 10 describes the application of COPPS to several of the social problems faced by the police, including gangs, drug trafficking, and domestic violence. Chapter 11 examines nine concerns or problems related to the COPPS concept. In Chapter 12, the issue of evaluation is examined, beginning with rationale for COPPS and then reviewing the criticisms of past evaluative efforts. Chapter 13 examines agency efforts to implement COPPS in the United States and Chapter 14 looks at approaches taken by other countries. Finally, Chapter 15 explores the future of community policing in the United States. Appendices, index