Police Community Involvement, A Planned Approach to Effective Crime Control (From Police Source Book 2, 1985, P 734-756, Bruce Swanton et al, ed. - See NCJ-103725)

• NCJ Number: 103739
• Author(s): D J Smith
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 23 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This paper describes aspects of a policing strategy which encompasses proactive policing and includes police-community cooperation in addressing the causes of and opportunities for crime. The police/community involvement program of the Victoria Police (Australia) is described.

Abstract

Reactive policing which focuses on rapid police response to crime reports, investigation techniques, evidence collection, and arrests and clearances has not been sufficient to reduce the crime rate, crime costs, and citizens' fear of crime. Police efforts to gain community cooperation in addressing causes and opportunities for crime must complement reactive strategies. The organization and management of proactive policing must impact all police functions rather than the narrow tasks of a special unit assigned to police-community relations. The development of a sufficiently broad police data base is essential to integrated reactive-proactive policing. The data base should encompass information pertinent to crime analysis, resource management, and community problem indicators. Staff development should focus on the skills and knowledge required to lead the community in organizing for crime prevention. 18 references.