Issues in Community Policing: Lessons Learned in the Implementation of Eight Innovative Neighborhood-Oriented Policing Programs

• NCJ Number: 157933
• Author(s): Susan Sadd; Randolph Grime
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 169 pages
• Publication Series: NIJ Research Report
• Agencies: NIJ
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation

Annotation

Using observational and interview data, this study examined the effectiveness of eight Innovative Neighborhood-Oriented Policing Programs (INOP).

Abstract

The eight sites had a number of implementation problems in common. Implementation problems fell into three categories: problems in overcoming patrol officer resistance to the principles of community policing, problems in generating interagency support for and involvement in community policing, and problems in generating active community involvement in community policing. If police departments can involve other city agencies in the implementation of community policing from the beginning of the process, rather than as an afterthought, these agencies could be of use in stimulating community involvement through their attempts to educate the public about community policing. Also, police administrators must view police training and education as of equal importance as community education and training. Before instituting community policing, police departments should gauge as accurately as possible the resources necessary to do community policing, whether they are planning on implementing community policing citywide or in smaller areas of the city. Cities that are implementing community policing must recognize the importance of the community "partnership" aspect of community policing and know that community leaders and residents will quickly discern the difference between a department that wants a genuine partnership with the community and one that only pays lip service to the concept. 48 references