This study uses institutional theory to develop a model of community-policing adoption in municipal law enforcement agencies.
Recent research on innovation diffusion points to a number of key factors that stimulate the need for change or facilitate the adoption of innovations. Empirical studies examining the process of innovationthat is, how ideas are spreadare less common and often lack a theoretical foundation. In the current study, the fit of the institutional model is assessed using secondary data and structural equation modeling. The results show that centrist forcesincluding publications, the professionalization of law enforcement, and other law enforcement agenciesshape the organizational adoption of community-policing reforms. The implications of the research for communicating innovations are addressed. (Publisher abstract modified)