NCJ Number
134978
Date Published
1990
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This paper develops a concept of policing that integrates community policing with rapid response to emergency calls.
Abstract
Although community policing advocates and rapid-response advocates have often portrayed their perspectives as mutually exclusive, it is possible to structure policing so that it is both community-oriented and prepared to deal promptly with incidents that warrant immediate police service. The community policing emphasis requires that patrol officers have large unbroken time segments for productive patrolling and problemsolving. Their tasks must include meetings with community members and groups to negotiate and adjust local priorities. Neighborhood negotiated priorities must be incorporated in an on-line data base of the "911" CAD system. Also, foot patrolling must be integrated with motorized patrolling. Rapid response requires that additional operations be incorporated with community policing. Patrol units must respond rapidly to the 10-15 percent of service calls that involve life-threatening situations or the arrest of a felon. This requires that 911 call takers be trained to diagnose and prioritize calls for service so that police time is used most efficiently under the concepts of community policing. There must be accurate and timely data on patrol units, community priorities, and community problems, all on-line on the CAD system. 45 references