Community Policing Explained: A Guide for Local Governments

• NCJ Number: 220015
• Author(s): Gayle Fisher-Stewart Ph.D.
• Date Published: August 2007
• Length: 54 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2003-CK-WX-K070
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Corporate Author: International City/County Management Assoc
• Sale Source: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Technical Assistance; Instructional Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded September 27, 2007.

Annotation

This guide assists communities in determining what questions to ask about community policing, suggests how to tailor community policing to community needs and available resources, and guides local government managers in how to measure the effectiveness of a community policing approach.

Abstract

Three central questions dominate discussion in training seminars on community policing: what is community policing? How do we implement and tailor community policing to the needs of our community? How do we know if community policing is working? In answering these questions, this guide provides a brief history of community policing and identifies and explains the key community policing elements: community partnerships, problem-solving, and organizational transformation. Community policing has emerged out of the recognition that societal problems that are the root cause of crime cannot be addressed by the police alone. Solving problems such as unemployment and drug abuse as factors underlying criminal behavior requires the involvement of agencies with expertise in addressing such problems. City managers and other local government leaders must help remove the longstanding separation of government functions and develop cross-agency partnerships that will improve public safety and the quality of life for community residents. Community policing strategies must be viewed by the community as effective if interest and enthusiasm for it are to be sustained. This requires dedicated resources (staff time, financial support, etc.) for problem-solving and partnership efforts that support community policing. Measuring the effectiveness of community policing strategies designed to address the root causes of particular crimes and crime in general requires defining specific, measurable, and attainable goals to be achieved over a specified period. This involves defining a mission, setting goals and objectives, developing performance measures, and collecting and analyzing data relevant to those measures. Appended community policing checklist