NCJ Number
151307
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: (1993) Pages: 141-155
Date Published
1993
Length
15 pages
Annotation
An exploratory study of community policing in municipal police agencies in Florida focused on the effect, if any, of departmental commitment and community involvement on variations in community policing programs.
Abstract
The telephone survey included police agencies listed in a State directory. A survey instrument was mailed to the 70 of 202 agencies that reported having a community policing program and that agreed to take part in the mail survey. Results revealed that 132 of the 202 agencies in the telephone survey were unfamiliar with community-oriented policing. In addition, 14 of the 70 participants in the mail survey reported that they had no formal program, two were excluded due to too few responses, and 29 did not respond. Of the 25 agencies remaining in the study, four served populations over 250,000; the others served populations ranging from under 2,000 to 129,000. Results revealed that few Florida police agencies have community policing programs. Nevertheless, the findings are encouraging, because several community policing strategies are being used that provide a continuous police presence, increase personal interaction, and provide community involvement. Results also confirmed the importance of departmental commitment and community involvement in community policing programs. Further research is recommended. Tables, notes, and 36 references