NCJ Number
121409
Date Published
1989
Length
18 pages
Annotation
Using problem-oriented approaches to reduce crime and the fear of crime, police seek to prevent crime by improving the quality of neighborhood life, by tailoring their responses to specific situations, and by cooperating with the community and other non-police agencies.
Abstract
Research shows that adding additional resources in incident-driven policing is ineffective in controlling crime. However, crime analysis, in which the motivation, target, and opportunity are identified and a crime pattern revealed, does increase the efficiency and effectiveness of police tactics. Because crime problems are linked to other urban issues, the police are most effective when they work with other concerned agencies. A problem-solving policing process includes police scanning during routine functions; analysis by officers of offenders, victims, social and physical factors, and previous police responses; the implementation of new responses, and a post-response assessment. The problem-solving techniques used in three case studies -- a drug problem in a New York City neighborhood, a rash of convenience store robberies in a small city, and a neighborhood nuisance -- are described. Institutionalized problem-solving policies will make changes in centralized control-oriented management structures inevitable. Although standard operating procedures can be implemented, police agencies will have to shift their emphasis from internal efficiency measures to external effectiveness measures. The police role will also change if departments relinquish some of their autonomy to other public service agencies for the sake of a cooperative approach. Similarly, police officers will have to play a role in forging consensus between members of their community. 28 references.