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Abstract

• Research primarily focused on community policing in urban areas.

• This study examines community policing in small law enforcement agencies (populations < 50,000).

• Key findings:

  • Significant variations in community policing activities by region and department size.

• Implications discussed for:

  • Future research on policing

  • Current federal community policing programs

  • Community policing reform movement.

Community Policing Overview

• Gained attention due to:

  • Federal legislation promoting community policing strategies.

  • Increased media coverage.

  • Awareness of its benefits (political, public relations, fear reduction, crime prevention).

• Implementation of community policing varies across agencies.

• Community policing seen as both a program and a philosophy of policing.

Definitions

• Rhetoric vs. Reality: Many police departments claim to implement community policing, but the extent of substantive change is debated.

• Varied definitions exist (e.g., foot patrols, community relations programs).

Features of Community Policing

1. Engagement with Community: Building relationships with local citizens.

2. Problem Solving: Identifying and addressing community issues collaboratively.

3. Internal Organizational Change: Adapting police department structures to support community policing goals.

Policing Nonurban America

• Disparity in research focus on urban over nonurban policing.

• Many small police agencies receive minimal attention in studies.

• Approximately 15,000 local police departments primarily serve small communities, contributing to an urban bias in research.

Recent Studies

• Limited research on small police agencies:

  • Weisheit et al. (1994) report informal practices of community policing in small town settings.

  • Trojanowicz (1994) finds 66% of surveyed small departments practice community policing.

  • Wycoff (1994) shows variation in practices across different sizes of police agencies.

Contextual Influences on Community Policing

• Organizational theory posits that context impacts police practices, including:

  • Region: Patterns of community policing differ regionally (Western agencies more active).

  • Department Size: Larger departments more involved in community activities.

  • Community Characteristics: Factors such as population density can affect implementation.

Findings on Contextual Variables

• Evidence supports that larger and Western agencies engage in more community policing.

• Agency size and geographical region significantly affect community policing activities, but area size does not.

Data and Methods

• Data from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) covering over 5,700 agencies.

• Agencies reported current and planned community policing activities.

Community Policing Index

• Created from 31 community policing activities reported by agencies.

• Activities ranged from training to community partnerships and direct engagement strategies.

• Alpha coefficient of .86 indicates reliability.

Findings from the Community Policing Index

• Distribution: Majority of agencies engaged in some form of community policing, though engagement levels varied widely.

Analysis of Community Policing Levels

• Utilized both bivariate and multivariate analyses to evaluate relationships.

• ANOVA tests and regression models showed significant regional and size-based differences.

Key Conclusions

• Larger police agencies are more engaged in community policing activities.

• Regional differences are significant, especially favoring Western agencies.

• Community context and department size consistently influence policing practices.

Policy Implications

• Federal community policing resources should focus more on smaller and non-Western agencies.

• Calls for further research into police practices aiming for broader understanding of community policing effects on various department types.

The research primarily explores community policing in urban areas and small law enforcement agencies serving populations of less than 50,000. Key findings indicate significant variations in community policing practices based on region and department size, with increasing attention driven by federal legislation, media coverage, and public awareness of its benefits. Community policing is recognized as both a program and a philosophy, yet its implementation differs across various agencies. Notably, there is a disparity in research focus, with urban policing receiving more attention compared to nonurban settings, leaving small police departments largely underrepresented in studies. Contextual influences on community policing practices include regional differences, department size, and community characteristics such as population density. Data for this research originates from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and includes over 5,700 agencies, highlighting both current and planned activities in community policing. A Community Policing Index was created based on 31 reported activities, revealing that while a majority of agencies implement some form of community policing, the levels of engagement vary widely. Conclusions drawn emphasize that larger police departments tend to engage more in community policing activities, with regional distinctions favoring agencies in the Western United States. The research calls for federal community policing resources to prioritize smaller and non-Western agencies, alongside further research to deepen the understanding of community policing's impact across diverse police practices.