Community-Based Policing and Problem Solving Its History and Results

Community-Based Policing, Problem-Solving History and Results

The objective of this study is to examine community-based policing, problem-solving history and results. Towards this end, this work will review literature in this area of study.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance document entitled "Understanding Community Policing: A Framework for Action" states that community policing is, "in essence, a collaboration between the police and the community that identifies and solves community problems." Additionally stated in the Bureau of Justice Assistance work is that problem-solving "is a broad term that implies more than simply the elimination and prevention of crimes. Problem-solving is based on the assumption that 'crime and disorder can be reduced in small geographic areas by carefully studying the characteristics of problems in the area and then applying the appropriate resources…" and on the assumption that "Individuals make choices based on the opportunities presented by the immediate physical and social characteristics of an area. By manipulating these factors, people will be less inclined to act in an offensive manner." (Eck and Spelman, 1983 in: Bureau of Justice Assistance, 1994)

I. Theory Behind Problem-Oriented Policing

The Bureau of Justice Assistance states that the theory behind problem-oriented policing "is simple. Underlying conditions create problems. These conditions might include the characteristics of people involved, the social setting in which these people interact, the physical environments, and the way the public deals with these conditions." (1994) These conditions inherently produce problems resulting in indents that "while stemming from a common source, may appear to be different. These incidents are quite simply "symptoms of the problems" and will continue as long as the problem creating the incidents persists. (Bureau of Justice Assistance, 1994, paraphrased) This problem-solving process involves an exchange of information between the police and community, which serves to identify the problem, and this leads to problem-solving activities, which serves to reinforce trust and keep the information exchange ongoing. Problem solving involves such as: (1) elimination of the problem; (2) reduction in the number of occurrences of the problem; (3) reduction of the degree of injury per incident; (4) improvement of problem handling; and (5) manipulation of environment factors for discouraging criminal behavior. (Bureau of Justice Assistance, 1994)

II. Evidence-Based Policing

Congress allocated money for research in policing resulting in two studies: (1) Kansas City Preventive Patrol Study; and (2) the Rand Investigation Experiment. (Risk Evaluation, Ltd., nd) Earlier studies had demonstrated that police rarely respond to crimes while they are in progress and that police had only limited ability to reduce levels of crime. The findings resulted in the development of the tactical methods of community policing which includes: (1) law enforcement; (2) proactive and preventive reduction in crimes; and (3) problem-solving in the community-policing paradigm. (Risk Evaluation, Ltd., nd)