NCJ Number
182955
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 67 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2000 Pages: 16-25
Editor(s)
Charles E. Higginbotham
Date Published
2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Based on his experiences as police chief in Chicago and the District of Columbia, the author indicates the success of community policing depends in large part on the establishment of clear structures, roles, authority, and accountability at the beat level.
Abstract
The author emphasizes the importance of partnerships with the community and effective problem-solving. In addition, he stresses the need to create a police organizational structure that is accountable to the community, strengthens internal police department processes and relationships, and improves the quality of police work. Changes implemented by the author during his police chief tenure include the following: (1) elimination of bureaus and consolidation of police department functions into three groups--operational services, corporate support, and office of the chief; (2) creation of a geographically based structure for field operations, from the top to the bottom of the organization; (3) establishment of "full service" police districts; and (4) enhancement of management and supervision of beat-level operations. Benefits of these changes pertain to clearer understanding of police roles and missions, greater accountability and professionalism, and easier access to and coordination among government services. 1 photograph