NCJ Number
126587
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 57 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1990) Pages: 61-63,65,67
Date Published
1990
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Quantitative and longitudinal survey research on the efficacy of community policing are presented by setting forth programmatical and quantitative outcomes of the Reno Police Department strategy of community policing.
Abstract
Reno's program of community policing is called COP+, Community-Oriented Policing - Plus. Reno is now divided into three geographical areas of command, each commanded by a captain with 24-hour responsibility basis. Each area captain forms a neighborhood advisory group (NAG), consisting of concerned citizens who represent their respective geographical area. There is also a Quality Assurance Division that conducts biannual community surveys to determine the efficacy of the department as perceived by the citizens and a Station Command that deals with issues that transcend defined areas such as budget development, administration, etc. Using scientific telephone surveying techniques, the Quality Assurance Division surveys approximately 700 residents biannually. The 27 questions posed to the randomly selected respondents are analyzed using analysis of variance and chi-square statistical methods. Six specific examples of successes of the program are discussed as well as the significant positive impact it has had on the Reno Police Department's image.