Community-Oriented Policing

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Community-oriented policing, also known as COP, combines the traditional aspects of law enforcement with prevention measures, problem solving, community engagement, and community partnerships (Community and Problem-Oriented). The United States law enforcement relied on a professional policing model, which was based on hierarchical structures, efficient response times, standardization, and the use of motorized patrol cars. Community-oriented policing began when critics charged that police and the communities they served were alienated from each other. The key element for community policing is the emphasis on the prevention of crime (Community and Problem-Oriented).
Beginning in the 1980s, COP gained acceptance as an alternative to traditional policing models. From growing tremendously, COP helped set the stage for the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement act of 1994 (Community and Problem-Oriented). This articulated the goal of putting 100,000 more community police on the streets. I believe the true definition of community-oriented policing is the relationship between the police and the community. The community becomes the co-producer of public safety when it is a relationship like this (Community and Problem-Oriented).
There are many programs that COP consists of and six elements that are associated with the COP programs, along with numerous others. The six elements include, the power of the community, belief in broad community function, relying on the police for the citizens authority, information, and collaboration, application for general knowledge and skill, specific tactics targeted at particular problems, and decentralized authority to respond more to the neighborhood needs (Community and Problem-Oriented). S...

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...learned many things I did not know about community-oriented policing throughout this course. I have more respect for police officers than I did before I took this course. I feel policing can continue to change for the better and for the worse.

Works Cited

“Community and Problem-Oriented Policing.” Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014. < http://www.ojjdp.gov/mpg/litreviews/Community_and_Problem_Oriented_Policing.pdf
Peak, J. Kenneth and Glensor, W. Ronald. (2012). Community Policing and Problem Solving: Strategies and Practices. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
“What Is the Role of Policing in Society Today?” What Is the Role of Policing in Society Today? N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014. .

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