NCJ Number
114945
Date Published
Unknown
Length
103 pages
Annotation
This report on six executive sessions designed to discuss the policing style for the new Westside Command Station in Houston, Tex., focuses on the nature and development of neighborhood-oriented policing (NOP).
Abstract
The participants defined NOP as 'an interactive process between police officers assigned to specific beats and the citizens that either work or reside in these beats to mutually develop ways to identify problems and concerns and then to assess viable solutions by providing available resources from both the police department and the community to address the problems and/or concerns.' The NOP process focuses on the creation of an environment that stimulates information exchanges between police and citizens which will enlighten police about the neighborhood services needed. Other aspects of the process are verifying information accuracy, prioritizing the information, assessing resource availability, and identifying performance criteria. Crucial to creating the environment for police-citizen information exchanges is the creation of the DART Program and the Police/Citizen Cooperative Agreement Project. These programs formalize a commitment on behalf of the police department and neighborhood civic groups as to the responsibilities each will share in addressing local neighborhood concerns. Appendixes list participants and NOP elements.