Chapter 10

Why are new approaches in policing needed, and how do they achieve it?

To bridge the disconnect between police and the community by developing closer relationships and raising the quality of service.

When was Community Policing developed, and why?

It was developed in the 1970s as a response to the disconnect between police and the community.

What was happening to traditional police tactics as experts realized something new was needed?

Traditional police tactics were coming under fire.

What was the overall result of the 1960s riots, patrol research, and realizing citizens are co-producers of police work?

All of these conditions together set the stage for Community Policing.

Rather than just reacting, what abilities did police start to possess as data became more important?

The ability to anticipate problems, see trends, and be more proactive.

In problem-oriented policing, how did police begin to think about identified problems?

They began to think in terms of solving identified problems.

What was the primary strategy of police during the "political" era?

To just maintain order.

What was the main goal of police during the "professional/reform" era?

Controlling crime through enforcement of the law.

Alongside maintaining order and controlling crime, what is a predominant police strategy today?

Good police-community relations (PCR).

How does the number of strategies pursued by police agencies today compare to the past?

Unlike in the past, police agencies will pursue more than just 1 strategy.

What is the main challenge when designing and implementing police strategies today?

Making them most effective for the specific community (one size does not fit all).

What has been an ongoing issue since the very beginning of policing?

Race and ethnic relations have been an issue since the beginning of policing.

What is considered a key trait for police when trying to understand different perspectives?

Cultural Competency is a key trait.

Do all segments of society view law enforcement the same way?

No, not all segments of society trust and support the police as others do.

How must police respond to segments of society that hold different views or lack trust in law enforcement?

They must show respect for those views.

What type of communication is needed alongside a change in mindset to build better Police-Community Relations?

Honest, open, effective dialogue.

In a democratic society, why is positive Police-Community Relations (PCR) critical?

Positive PCR is critical because if the public does not trust its police, the job becomes much harder and more dangerous.

How must police be viewed by the public so that citizens accept their authority as rightful and fair?

Police need to be seen as “legitimate.”

Who wrote the major influential article on Broken Windows in 1982?

Wilson and Kelling.

What is the end product that traditional policing simply waits to address?

CRIME.

Unlike traditional policing, when does Broken Windows suggest police should intervene?

At the start (at the 1st sign of neglect & disorder).

Which type of disorder includes public drinking, harassment, street gangs, and prostitution?

Social disorder.

Which type of disorder includes vandalism, rubbish, and graffiti?

Physical disorder.

What shift in policing stance does the Broken Windows theory propose?

A shift from a reactive stance to a more proactive stance.

What did Community Policing come to represent to different police departments as it grew?

New and innovative approaches.

Roughly what percentage of local police departments have some type of “community policing”?

About 88%.

What is the biggest difference brought about by community policing?

A Major Role Change for Police.

What is the most effective way to reduce neighborhood decay?

Effective partnerships (with the community).

What type of information flow are effective partnerships meant to increase?

2 way information.

How does Community Policing reposition the role of police and the public in crime control?

Police become an integral part of the community, and citizens are viewed as co-producers of crime control & prevention.

What are the 2 elements needed for successful implementation of Community Partnerships?

Consultation & Mobilization.

According to Community Policing (CP), how can crime control be enhanced?

By increased consultation with citizens.

What does "mobilization" mean in Community Policing?

Police now seek the community to assist (through programs like Neighborhood Watch, Operation ID, and Crime Stoppers).

Aside from the general public, who else do police mobilize under Community Policing, and why?

Other municipal agencies (like zoning boards and city officials) to assist in crime prevention.

What is one proven benefit of increased Community Policing in a neighborhood?

It reduces fear of crime (and perhaps affects deterioration).

Where is Community Policing actually needed the most?

In "poorer" neighborhoods (where it is harder to mobilize because they are devastated by crime, unemployment, and disorder).

What must police departments shift away from in order for Community Policing to work?

Their traditional organization dynamic.

What is the 1st reason police departments must shift away from a traditional organizational dynamic?

To stimulate and encourage police officers (POs) to embrace and perform CP functions.

What is the 2nd reason police departments must shift away from a traditional organizational dynamic?

To make the police department more flexible and open to developing partnerships and using problem-solving strategies.

What is the 1st area of Organizational Change in Community Policing?

Organizational Structure (decentralized, fewer levels of management, more officer discretion).

What is the 2nd area of Organizational Change in Community Policing, and how does it differ from the traditional approach?

it requires a big culture change from reactive crime fighting to proactive cooperation.

What is the 3rd area of Organizational Change in Community Policing?

Managerial Change.

Under Managerial Change, how are managers expected to help the Community Policing officers they supervise?

By assisting them (allowing discretion to develop contacts) and supporting them to accomplish the mission.

How does the ratio of supervisors to managers change in a Community Policing department?

CP PDs should have fewer supervisors and more managers.

According to the authors, have police departments made major organizational changes for Community Policing?

According to the authors, no big changes (though this does not mean CP has not been effectively implemented).

What is the core concept of the 3rd Major Component (Problem Solving)?

The community and police work cooperatively to solve problems.

What is the defining feature of Problem Solving in Community Policing?

Identification of the underlying issues of the problem, not just responding to it.

Is there only one method for identifying and solving underlying community problems?

No, it is done in several ways (police mobilizing to consult citizens, residents mobilizing to consult police, or neighborhood POs working with local residents).

What major question did the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) test and prove?

It tested and showed that a major PD can implement Community Policing (evaluated with mixed, mostly positive results).

Which parts of the police department and city were involved in implementing CAPS?

The entire PD and city—not just selected units.

Which type of officers are assigned to neighborhoods under CAPS?

Permanent beat officers.

What serious commitment did the department make regarding the new CAPS philosophy?

A commitment to train the PD with this new philosophy.

What level of participation from residents was included in CAPS?

Significant community involvement (with a high level of input and partnership).

What kind of relationships were established with external organizations under CAPS?

Close links with other agencies.

What technological tool was utilized for crime analysis under CAPS?

Computer data.

What was the agenda during regular CAPS neighborhood meetings?

“Frank talk” (to discuss problems and proposed solutions).

Who pioneered Problem Oriented Policing (POP) in the 1970s?

Herman Goldstein.

What is the main idea behind Problem Oriented Policing regarding how police traditionally define their roles?

Police traditionally define their roles in different broad categories (crime control/fighting, order maintenance, peacekeeping).

According to POP, what should police do with broad policing categories like crime control and order maintenance?

Break down those categories into discrete problems and develop a specific solution for each problem.

How do police view themselves when most of their resources are tied up reacting to 911 calls?

Police think they are reactionaries.

How are calls handled under the Traditional policing approach?

Each call is handled as an isolated incident; the PO's only concern is just responding.

How are problems handled under the POP approach?

The problem should 1st be analyzed and a solution determined to respond.

What are the 4 stages of the SARA process used to implement POP, and what happens in each?

Scanning (identify underlying problems),
Analysis (collect data on scope, nature, cause)
Response (implement strategy impacting underlying conditions),
Assessment (candid evaluation).

What is the main idea of the Scanning stage in the SARA model?

To identify problems that share some underlying cause; not just an isolated incident.

What does POP require a solution to achieve during the Response stage?

requires the solution to have an impact on the conditions causing the disorder/crime.

During the Assessment phase, what core question do police ask themselves?

Did we accurately identify the problem?

What have field evaluations shown regarding the effectiveness of Problem Oriented Policing (POP)?

Field evaluations have been favorable; maybe more than CP.

What did a survey of police officers (POs) reveal about the influence and use of POP?

POP had a major influence on their policing
70% use POP in some fashion.

Beyond reducing youth homicides by 70%, what other major effects did Operation Cease Fire have on the community?

It had a major impact on fear of crime and citizen satisfaction.

What is another name for the focused deterrence strategy used in Operation Cease Fire?

“Pulling levers.”

What did a study of 5,500 Problem Oriented Policing (POP) evaluations reveal?

Large reductions in crime/disorder.

What does the use of POP prove about what police are capable of doing?

Police can successfully implement innovative solutions.

Which policing theory is Zero Tolerance Policing based on?

“Broken windows” theory.

What do police primarily focus on under Zero Tolerance Policing?

Disorder & minor crimes.

How does the core focus of Zero Tolerance Policing differ from Community Policing (CP) and Problem Oriented Policing (POP)?

CP/POP focus on crime prevention, while Zero Tolerance focuses on a crime attack model.

Who is responsible for crime control in CP compared to Zero Tolerance Policing?

CP views citizens as co-producers,
Zero Tolerance lays it solely on police.

Instead of trying to identify problems or analyze causes like POP, what does Zero Tolerance Policing focus on?

It focuses on reducing behaviors.

Where does Zero Tolerance Policing direct its interventions?

On place directed interventions, “hot spots.”

What is the best-known example of Zero Tolerance Policing in action?

NYC since 1993.

Has the debate been settled on whether Zero Tolerance Policing directly caused the major drop in NYC crime?

No, the book is still out (some contend it did not have a big effect in NYC, though it has been shown successful elsewhere).

How does the textbook describe this era of policing innovation compared to policing history?

As “the most creative period since the modern Police Officer hit the streets in London in 1829.