NCJ Number
124494
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 17 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1990) Pages: 105-114
Date Published
1990
Length
10 pages
Annotation
To understand the meaning of community policing this paper looks at the historical development and changes in policing and identifies and analyzes the most prominent assumptions of community policing in an attempt to assess the viability and future directions of this new approach.
Abstract
The race riots and social upheaval of the 1960s brought the problems of police professionalism to the force. In response to these problems recommendations were made by the President's Crime Commission. Goals of community policing programs include fear reduction among citizens, increased citizen satisfaction with the police, development of techniques which address the problems of the community, and help to define and reinforce norms of the community and to reduce crime. Characteristics of community policing include some type of community involvement in decision-making, a relatively permanent assignment of police officers to a neighborhood in order to instill mutual feelings of trust and responsibility between officers and the community, and a commitment of resources and personnel to meet the needs of the community. This type of program needs strong managerial support if it is to have a chance to succeed, and it needs a commitment to hire quality personnel who can handle the increased responsibilities required by community policing. This type of policing carries the potential to be an enriching and rewarding experience for patrol officers. The authors believe that the philosophy of community policing cannot be realized until significant changes are made in organizational structure, management style, and personnel. community policing cannot be implemented until some fundamental structural and orientation changes are made. 1 table, 1 endnote, 50 references.