NCJ Number
125959
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 59 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1990) Pages: 6-11
Date Published
1990
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Community policing is often incorrectly regarded as a modification of previous efforts to improve police-community relations, but it differs from police-community relations in both its goal and the approaches used.
Abstract
Community policing is based on organizational theory, open systems theory, critical theory, normative sponsorship theory, and public policy analysis, while police-community relations is based on conflict theory, intergroup relations theory, and communications theory. Community policing focuses on solving problems, whereas police-community relations aims to change citizen attitudes and improve police relationships with citizens. In addition, community policing requires regular contacts with citizens, rather than the infrequent contacts of police-community relations. Community policing also measures success in terms of reduction of fear of crime, neighborhood disorder, and crime. It also reflects accountability to the community, with citizens helping to set priorities. Thus, it directly addresses the need to restructure and refocus police officer selection, training, evaluation, and promotion and will probably become the dominant future trend for policing. Chart and 2 reference notes.