Officer
Officer
Officer
Ed Schmid
Melissa Wahlert
Glen Evans
What is "Community Oriented Policing" ?
The professional policing model dominated United States law
enforcement from the 1930s through the 1960s. Its emphasis on
hierarchical structures, efficient response times, standardization,
and the use of motorized patrols greatly improved police operations,
accountability, and efficiency. However, in the late 1960s, civil
unrest created challenges that the police appeared ill-equipped to
deal with. A few thoughtful academics and police practitioners began
to question the role of policing in American society. It was
recognized that the improvements brought about through the
professional model were accomplished largely at the expense of those
who the police were sworn to serve – the public. Thus, through the
mid-1980s, the professional policing era began to decline and a
movement towards community policing began.
Community policing can be defined as a philosophy that focuses on
crime and social disorder through the delivery of police services
that includes aspects of traditional law enforcement, as well as
prevention, problem-solving, community engagement and partnerships.
The community policing model moves away from reactive responses to
calls for service and moves towards proactive problem solving
centered on the causes of crime and disorder. Community policing
requires police and citizens to join together as partners in the
course of both identifying and effectively addressing these issues.
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