NCJ Number
205901
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Dated: 2004 Pages: 97-127
Date Published
2004
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This in-depth analysis of community policing in Hong Kong focuses on the evolution of community policing, the structure for the practice of community policing, major community-based programs, constraints on community policing, and evaluation findings.
Abstract
The qualitative research methods used for this study involved case studies, structured and unstructured interviews, documentary research, and researcher observation. The empirical basis for the study was primarily the six major community policing initiatives undertaken by the police; namely, the Police Community Relations Officer Scheme, the Junior Police Call Scheme, the Police School Liaison Scheme, the Neighborhood Police Units Scheme, the Neighborhood Watch Scheme, and the Performance Pledge Program. This study found that the Hong Kong Police have clearly committed to the era of community policing, as the force has sought active support from the public for crime control and law enforcement; and it has adopted a customer-oriented approach in delivering police services. Through its six major efforts at fostering police-community interaction and cooperation, the force has achieved positive outcomes in engaging the public in crime prevention and crime control. Hong Kong's reunification with China has virtually eliminated all vestiges of repressive colonial policing. Still, there are constraints on community policing, including the lack of a long-term vision for the institutionalizing of the community policing strategy, a restrictive organizational structure, inadequate incentive structures, grudging internal support for community relations structures, the lack of formal channels for public participation, and a low level of transparency in police operations in general. 1 table, 5 notes, and 93 references