Community-Oriented Policing Defined

Chapter 2

Community Oriented Policing( C.O.P.) has changed policing.

(Oliver, 2008)

The goals of policing have changed .

No longer focused solely on controlling crime

(Oliver, 2008)

The goals of policing have changed .

Now, looking at ways to improve the quality of life for all.

Reducing fear of crime is a major focus. The police are addressing the problems of crime and disorder. (Oliver, 2008)

Watch this video from the Houston Police Department on the fear of crime.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BqLmSla03k

Most police departments would agree that policing has changed and the goals of policing have changed as well.

(Oliver, 2008)

However, when asked to define community oriented policing, there in lies the problem.

Why is it so difficult to define community-oriented policing?

It could be a matter of interpretation.

One police department's idea of community oriented policing is to put in place a department wide C.O.P. Program.

Watch this video from the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjbam6yFRDY

Another police department”s C.O.P. Program has a single officer who directs traffic at rush hour. See the difference?

(Oliver, 2008)

Why is it difficult to implement?

No basic premise to work from.

(Oliver, 2008)

Why is the absence of a definition critical in understanding and implementing a successful Community Oriented Policing Program?

According to your text lack of a definition could mean the following;

An alternative route to rapid response. For example assigning an officer to a community for a period of time so that the community could get to know the officer.

Implementation of a Neighborhood Watch-the community and the police would work together to solve crimes.

Seeking out various ways to communicate with the public. This weekend the police used the local radio station to reach out to the public.

(Oliver, 2008)

(Oliver, 2008)

Can we still implement a C.O.P. Program?

Yes, we can.

According to your text we need the following three components.

Strategic oriented policingNeighborhood oriented policing Problem-oriented policing

(Oliver, 2008

Strategic- oriented policing

A redistribution of resources to identify problem areas. The goal is to drive out the criminal element in the community and give the community the opportunity to reclaim it..

(Oliver, 2008)

Neighborhood oriented policing

Includes all programs (youth programs, mini police stations, encouraging officers to reside in the community) that would open the lines of communication between the police and the community.

(Oliver,2008)

Problem-oriented policing

Involves the police and the community working together to solve crimes.

(Oliver, 2008)

Works Cited

Oliver, William M, Community-Oriented Policing:  A Systematic Approach to Policing, 4th Edition, Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2008.

Neighborhood Safety. Houston Police Department National Institute of Justice (NIJ)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BqLmSla03k

Retrieved July 1, 2012.

Upward Spiral of Trust:Interview by Grace Kelly, The Uptakehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjbam6yFRDY