Concepts and Theory in Community Policing

• NCJ Number: 212492
• Journal: Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 44 Issue: 5 Dated: December 2005 Pages: 460-472
• Author(s): Nigel G. Fielding
• Date Published: December 2005
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: Special issue on policing for additional articles see NCJ-212491, NCJ-212493-494.

Annotation

This article examines the concepts and theory behind the community policing approach.

Abstract

Community policing is defined as an iconic style of policing in which the police are close to the public, know their concerns from regular everyday contacts, and act on them in accord with the community’s wishes. The term evokes images of policy/community relations in stable, consensus-based and homogenous neighborhoods where crime is occasional and disorder largely consists of petty vandalism. Community policing (CP) initiatives emerged in North America and Britain in the 1970s. This article examines various approaches in CP, as well as assesses the prospects of these approaches by drawing on research evaluations of such programs. By conducting an assessment, an approach for theorizing CP can be outlined, as well as systematically analyzing the effects of CP programs and interventions. References