NCJ Number
153083
Journal
Criminology Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (November 1994) Pages: 11-15
Date Published
1994
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes the Australian Capital Territory's "Country Town Policing" model, which advances community needs and crime prevention and encourages participation from constables who want more authority and autonomy, as well as more involvement in policing the community.
Abstract
The model has a tripartite policing structure. The first part converts each Canberra suburb into a small "country town," each with its own constable responsible for serving its various policing needs. Instead of being response oriented, the model focuses on community safety and crime prevention. The second part of the model renders a rapid-response reactive-mobilization capability at a district level. The third part provides task force operations and major crime investigations at a district level to investigate crime trends and serious criminal activity. Under the model, constables diagnose, through community consultation, what needs to be done in their "country town" to resolve community safety issues and solve crime problems. The community and the constable then design strategies that will address the issues and remedy the problems. The community and the constable will have the flexibility necessary to implement their own policing plan. The model requires supervising sergeants to facilitate rather than direct, to impart rather than merely practice their expertise, and to help country town constables manage themselves. In addition to describing the model, this article also outlines some of the questions associated with Country Town Policing in the areas of industrial matters, cost and personnel, supervision of personnel, and responsibilities. 10 references