NCJ Number
213794
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 75 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2006 Pages: 12-16
Date Published
April 2006
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article examines what is involved in implementing the paradigm of community policing in an agency and community.
Abstract
The philosophy of community policing focuses on preventing and responding to crime, reducing citizens' fear of crime, and improving the community's quality of life. This is done by involving communities in the shaping of police objectives and intervention, as well as evaluating them, along with community participation in crime analysis and crime prevention. Under the community policing model, officers become "peacekeepers." The successful adoption of community policing for any agency requires that the organization first integrate the philosophy throughout the department's operations as a fundamental change in the department's goals and operations. The agency must also create a working environment that allows new values to emerge in its management and tactics. This requires that it confront and change the subculture of traditional law enforcement. Dealing with the fixed attitudes and practices of individual officers may prove to be the most difficult task. Learning new skills and spending patrol time interacting with community leaders in preventing and countering specific crime problems will be a new experience for most officers, which requires adjustment, supervision, and evaluation. The work of the front-line officer will be aided by having department and community leaders, including local government officials, define the roles for police and community representatives under the paradigm of community policing. Representatives for all stakeholders should receive initial and ongoing training in community policing concepts and practices, preferably in joint training. 16 notes