NCJ Number
155964
Date Published
1995
Length
131 pages
Annotation
In May 1993, the Queensland Criminal Justice Commission and the Queensland Police Service (QPS) established a 2-year beat policing pilot project in the city of Toowoomba in southeastern Queensland.
Abstract
The impetus for the project was an inquiry into possible illegal activities and alleged police misconduct. This inquiry recommended that the QPS adopt community-based policing as its primary policing strategy. The pilot project, designed to implement community-based policing, had the following key features: assignment of two officers to two defined beat areas on a long-term basis, location of officers in residences within each beat area, provision of most policing services by locally based officers, use of foot patrols by beat officers in beat areas, inclusion of proactive policing activities, and introduction of a negotiated response strategy. Pilot project evaluation addressed both process and impact. The assessment of project implementation revealed that support from regional QPS management was continually high. Project resources were more than adequate, and beat officers generally came to accept the project. Most beat area residents were aware of the project, although less than half knew the beat office location or thought they would be able to recognize the beat officer. Strong management support was evident for the project's problem-oriented approach, and problem-solving activities were typically part of the beat officer's week. Problems handled by beat officers ranged from prowlers and alcohol-related incidents to disputes between neighbors. The two most common strategies employed by beat officers to resolve problems were "removing the problem" and preventive activities (such as fixing street lighting). Community resident and beat officer satisfaction with the project was relatively high, and the project reduced crime victimization. Recommendations are offered to guide the conduct of future similar projects. Appendixes contain information on beat and comparison areas and community and service user survey forms. References, tables, and figures