Principles of Community Policing
The Department of Justice defines community policing as a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies supporting the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques to address immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues.
- Community partnerships: Building relationships with residents, businesses, and organizations
- Organizational transformation: Aligning management, personnel, and technology to support partnerships
- Problem solving: Proactively addressing conditions that lead to crime rather than just responding to incidents
Transparency and Accountability
Data Transparency
- Public dashboards with crime statistics, response times, use of force data
- Demographic data on stops, searches, and arrests
- Complaint and discipline records (within legal constraints)
- Body camera footage policies with clear release criteria
Civilian Oversight
- Independent review boards for serious incidents
- Subpoena power for effective investigations
- Community input on policies and priorities
- Regular public reporting on patterns and trends
Training and Practices
| Area | Reform Approach |
|---|---|
| De-escalation | Mandatory training on slowing situations, creating distance, communication |
| Mental health response | Co-responder models pairing officers with crisis counselors |
| Implicit bias | Training on recognizing and mitigating unconscious biases |
| Use of force | Clear policies, duty to intervene, proportionality requirements |
| Community relations | Walking beats, community meetings, youth programs |
Alternative Response Programs
Not every 911 call requires an armed police response. Alternative response programs dispatch appropriate resources based on the nature of the call:
- Mental health crisis: Mobile crisis teams with counselors
- Homeless services: Outreach workers with housing resources
- Noise complaints: Civilian community service officers
- Traffic accidents: Civilian crash investigators (non-injury)
- Quality of life: Code enforcement rather than criminal enforcement
Evidence-Based Programs
Focused Deterrence
Concentrating resources on the small number of individuals most likely to commit or be victims of violence, with clear consequences and genuine offers of help.
Hot Spots Policing
Data-driven deployment to specific locations where crime concentrates, with problem-solving rather than just presence.
Restorative Justice
Bringing together victims, offenders, and community members to address harm and prevent reoffending, particularly for juvenile and non-violent offenses.
Data Sources
- Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
- Bureau of Justice Statistics
- Police Executive Research Forum