NCJ Number
136747
Journal
CJ The Americas Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (April-May 1992) Pages: 1,7,10
Date Published
1992
Length
3 pages
Annotation
An innovative program instituted by the police chief in Elgin, Illinois takes a literal approach to the concept of community policing which emphasizes strong interaction between a police department and the community it serves.
Abstract
The Resident Officer Program actually sends officers to live in troubled areas. The officers' presence is designed to make the area safer for residents. Two preliminary steps occur before the actual placement of a resident officer: constant, heavy dose of police presence in the targeted area and temporary establishment of a police substation which later becomes the home of a resident officer. Resident officers who have participated in the program say they do not only respond to community problems; rather, they become involved in all aspects of community and family life. The resident officers have established good rapport with their neighbors and earned their trust. This is especially important since many people in high-crime areas are wary of the police. By promoting a feeling of teamwork with their neighbors, resident officers have eliminated gang members, drug dealers, and trouble makers in the neighborhood.