NCJ Number
114813
Journal
Field Training Quarterly Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: (l988) Pages: 11-18
Date Published
1988
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The neighborhood-oriented policing (NOP) approach adopted by the Houston Police Department entails a management philosophy that focuses on the control and prevention of crime through quality police-citizen interactions and a collaborative police-community relationship that focuses on addressing neighborhood problems and quality-of-life issues.
Abstract
This philosophy has required a re-examination of traditional assumptions about crime prevention, patrols, and police roles and responsibilities. Because of the complexity, diversity, and prevalence of neighborhood needs and expectations, police officers must learn to become neighborhood managers, crime prevention specialists, planners, problemsolvers, community organizers, and skilled communicators. These skills help draw officers and citizens together in the formation of a working partnership within neighborhoods. In addition to training in these skills and others, such as information management and problem identification and resolution; officers will require training in the elements underlying the NOP concept. These include accountability to the community and the organization, articulation of values that incorporate citizen involvement, decentralization of authority and participatory management, employee empowerment, and shared police-citizen decisionmaking. Such training, in addition to training in traditional law enforcement skills, will be necessary if the potential of NOP is to be realized. 3 references.