Chapter Six Community-Oriented Policing and Problem Solving

Chapter Six

Community-Oriented Policing and Problem Solving

Policing America, 6th editionKenneth Peak

© 2009 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

All Rights Reserved.2

Basic Principles of Community Policing

Redefined role Public must be engaged in the

fight against crime and disorder Peel emphasized this in the

1820s In the early 1980s, COP emerged

as the dominant model Working partnership with

community





Long-term process that involves fundamental institutional change

Role from crime fighter to problem solver

Decentralized organizational structure and changes in recruiting, training, evaluations, promotions

Break away from incident-driven policing





Police station houses are being changed in terms of design and amenities

Was seen as unfriendly places Some jurisdictions now have police

stations with ATMs, kitchen-equipped meeting rooms for public use and more areas open to the public




Major Step Forward: Problem-Oriented Policing

Problem solving is not new Routine application of problem-

solving techniques are new Problem solving can be applied by

officers throughout the agency Routine problem-solving efforts

can be effective in reducing or resolving problems





Problem-orienting policing (POP) was grounded on different principles than COP, but they are complimentary

POP advocates that police examine underlying causes of recurring crime

Herman Goldstein is the principal architect of POP




SARAFour-stage problem-solving process1. Scanning

Behaviors Locations People Time Events Primary purpose of scanning is to conduct

a preliminary inquiry to determine if a problem does exist




SARA

2. Analysis The heart of the problem-solving process Learn as much as possible about the

problem to identify causes Identifying seriousness of the problem Knowing all the individuals involved and

affected Listing all the causes of the problem Assessing current responses and their

effectiveness




SARA Several methods developed for

analyzing Problem-analysis triangle The use of crime-mapping and offense

reports The analysis of CFS The use of community surveys




SARA Some factors known to affect volume

and type of crime Population density Variations in composition of population Stability of population Modes of transportation Climate Citizens’ attitudes toward crime




SARA

Types of crime analysis1. Tactical

Provides information used to assist operations personnel

Includes associating criminal activity by method, crime, time, date, location




SARA

2. Strategic Concerned with long-range

problems and projections of long-term increases or decreases in crime

Also includes the preparation of crime statistical summaries, resource acquisition, and allocation studies




SARA

3. Administrative Focuses on provision of economic,

geographic, or social information to administration

Problem solvers should review their findings about the three sides of the crime triangle – victims, offenders, and locations




SARA

3. Response The ultimate challenge in POP The search for the most effective

way of dealing with the problem Focuses on developing and

implementing responses to problem




SARA

4. Assessment Officers evaluate the effectiveness of

their responses Reduced instances of repeat

victimization Decreases in related crime or incidents Neighborhood indicators Reduced citizen fear related to the

problem




Basic Principles of COPPS

Both COP and POP share characteristics

1. Decentralization2. Geographically rather than

functionally defined subordinate units

3. Close interactions with local communities




Basic Principles of COPPS For COPPS to succeed, the

following measures are required1. Conducting accurate community

needs assessments2. Mobilizing all appropriate players

to collect data and brainstorm strategies

3. Determine appropriate resource allocations




Basic Principles of COPPS

4. Developing and implementing innovative, collaborative, comprehensive programs to address underlying causes and causal factors

5. Evaluating programs and modifying approaches as needed




Implementation of COPPS Strongly argued that a

departmentwide of COPPS be used No golden rule or any universal

methods to ensure the successful adoption

The role of the rank-and-file officer The role of the environment where

COPPS is implemented




Implementation of COPPS Leadership and Administration

Communicate to all department members the vital role of COPPS

Provide incentives to engage in COPPS Reduce the barriers to COPPS that can

occur Show officers how to address problems




Implementation of COPPS Human Resources

Middle managers and first-line supervisors play a crucial role

First-line supervisors and senior patrol officers seem to generate the greatest resistance to COPPS




Implementation of COPPS Field Operations

Recruiting, selection, training, performance evaluation, promotion, honors and awards, discipline

Recruiting literature should reflect the principles of COPPS

Integrated into academy training




Implementation of COPPS External Relations Collaborative responses to

neighborhood crime and disorder are essential to the success of COPPS

New relationships and sharing of information between the police and the community




Implementation of COPPS Media provides means to educate

the community about COPPS Political support Broader role of the street officer

“Thinking” officers Do more than handle calls Design effective ways of responding




Community Policing in Japan

Possesses the oldest and best-established community policing system in the world

Four elements at the core1. Community-based crime prevention2. Reorientation of patrol activities3. Increased accountability to the public4. Decentralization of command




Community Policing in Japan

Heavy emphasis on order maintenance and prevention

Counseling services Trained in dispute resolution Urban police visit neighborhood

households Koban




Evaluating COPPS No clear verdict until rigorous

evaluations Evaluation not the same as the

SARA process Outcome measures might include:

Control of crime Citizen satisfaction with police services Decreased fear of crime




Crime Prevention Better to prevent a crime rather

than trying to solve a crime “Lock it or lose it” Giving advice to citizens about

door locks At its heart, COPPS is about

preventing crime




Crime Prevention Crime prevention through

environmental design (CPTED) “Proper design and effective use

of the environment”1. Natural access control2. Natural surveillance3. Territorial reinforcement




Crime Prevention

Five types of information needed1. Crime-analysis information2. Demographics3. Land use information4. Observations5. Resident information




Crime Prevention Repeat Victimization (RV) Greater attention given to

offenders than to crime victims If police want to know where a

crime will occur next, they should look at where it happened last

One in three burglaries is a repeat burglary of a household




Crime Prevention A small number of victims

accounts for a disproportionate number of victimizations

Drug Abuse Resistance and Education DARE program Program needs new direction

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Chapter Six Community-Oriented Policing and Problem Solving