Some Impressions From a Qualitative Study of Implementation of Community Policing in North Carolina (From Readings for Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice, P 1-14, 1999, M.L. Dantzker, ed., -- See NCJ-200493)

• NCJ Number: 200494
• Author(s): John M. Memory
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: Butterworth-Heinemann
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article uses a firsthand perspective to examine community policing in North Carolina.

Abstract

A researcher used observer-participant data collection conducted through ride-alongs with a variety of police officers in five cities and one county in North Carolina. Informal interviews were conducted with police officers. The results show that in practically every city and every city neighborhood, nearly all Black children younger than 11 were friendly with nearly every police officer. In practically every city and every city neighborhood, virtually all Black juveniles older than 11 were less than friendly with nearly every police officer. There are four factors related to the receptivity of citizens to community policing: (1) the degree of community/cohesiveness/affiliation within the city area; (2) extent of informal social control within the area; (3) extent of internal or external crime threat; and (4) whether the area has almost exclusively Black residents. Maintaining interest in a neighborhood association or grass roots community group appears to be easier than maintaining interest in a unifaceted community/neighborhood watch group. It appears that making repeated visits to the homes of residents in a community police officer’s (CPO) area may be counterproductive. Having a Black officer involved in implementing community policing in a predominantly Black area of a city should increase the prospects for at least initial success. There is great positive potential for police activities of teams or groups of community police officers, especially for anti-drug operations, anti-prostitution operations, and maintenance of order in city parks. Community policing activities occur primarily during the day shift. It promotes success of community policing and helps to overcome beat officer opposition to community policing for CPOs to volunteer over the radio to take or act as backup on calls that relate to their community. It is better for officers with community policing duties to rely, if possible, on persuasion and cooperation rather than force. 40 references