Community policing is a philosophy that turns traditional policing on its head by empowering the community rather than dictating to it. Most police departments in the USA now use community policing. But what exactly is community policing and what can it achieve? What are the contemporary challenges faced in successful community policing? This third edition of what is considered “the bible of community policing” presents a road map for a comprehensive understanding of community policing today.
Despite its popularity in the USA, many still poorly understand the philosophy and organisational structure of community policing. Community policing is not a tactic or strategy, but an entire paradigm shift. It is based on the premise that police must do more than just respond to crime. Police must work closely with the community to identify and solve problems to actively improve citizens’ quality of life.
Although community policing has taken different directions, it consists of four key structural dimensions. These are the philosophical dimension, the organisational and personnel dimension, the strategic dimension, and the programmatic dimension.
- The philosophy dimension involves broad police function and community focus, citizen input, working together, developing trust, sharing power, creativity and neighbourhood variation.
- The organisational/personnel dimension requires decentralisation to provide a more personalised service in which citizens can collaborate in setting the police agenda.
- Community Policing Officers (CPOs) are a new breed of officers responsible for relations with particular community areas. The CPO is the key link to the community and an innovator in problem solving.
- The strategic dimension includes three parameters for guiding operational planning. These are geographic focus and ownership; direct, daily, face-to-face contact; and prevention focus.
- The programmatic dimension is necessary to operationalise the philosophy and strategy. It is achieved by re-orientated police operations, problem solving and crime prevention, and community engagement.
Later chapters in this book address the complexities of contemporary community policing beyond the basic principles above. This includes the role community policing can play in renewing the sense of community that has rapidly disappeared from most neighbourhoods. Other chapters address:
- The key role of police administrators in the complex task of implementing and managing community policing.
- The process of problem solving in community policing, which includes identifying the causes of crime as well as responding to it. The process involves scanning for problems, analysis, response and assessment.
- The importance of addressing crime and the fear of crime, as both have a substantial impact on individuals and communities.
- The limitations of traditional approaches to the drug problem and common sense alternatives from a community policing perspective.
- The importance of recognising, understanding and dealing with different types of people in diverging cultures. Populations that require special attention include different ethnic groups, the poor and the homeless.
