Traditional Vs Community Policing

Change is always encouraged in law enforcement

Traditional policing and community policing represent two distinct approaches to law enforcement that have shaped modern policing strategies. The difference fundamentally centers on the concepts of strategy and the role of the community, with traditional policing focusing on reactive, incident-driven tactics, whereas community policing employs proactive strategies that emphasize community partnership and problem-solving.

Traditional policing, often depicted as the standard model of law enforcement, has its roots in early policing practices that prioritize crime response over prevention (Kelling & Moore, 1988). This model follows a hierarchical structure where officers respond to calls, conduct patrols, and address crimes primarily in isolation from the communities they serve. One of the central tenets of this method is the reliance on visible presence and rapid response, aiming to deter criminal activity through the potential for prompt apprehension (Wilson & Kelling, 1982). Traditional policing tends to measure success by the rates of crime and arrest, creating a reactive cycle focused on responding to events after they have occurred.

In contrast, community policing emerges as a paradigm shift, advocating for establishing strong relationships between the police and the community (Skogan, 2006). This philosophy emphasizes the role of police officers as members of the community who work collaboratively with residents to identify and solve local problems (Trojanowicz & Bucqueroux, 1990). Community policing is characterized by strategies such as foot patrols, community meetings, and crime prevention education. These efforts are designed to build trust and mutual respect, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for public safety (Greene, 1989).

The core difference lies in law enforcement's methodology to approach crime and disorder. While traditional policing assumes a straightforward approach – enforcing the law and arresting offenders after offenses have occurred – community policing is proactive and multifaceted, focusing on rooting out the underlying causes of crime and dysfunction by empowering communities (Goldstein, 1987). Here, the officer's role transcends law enforcement to include that of a public servant who engages in problem-solving partnerships with citizens (Moore et al., 1988).

There are empirical studies that underscore the efficacy of community policing. A meta-analysis conducted by Gill et al. (2014) found that community-oriented policing strategies significantly, though modest, impact crime and citizen satisfaction. This suggests that while community policing may not significantly reduce crime, it improves the relationship between law enforcement and the community, catalyzing long-term cooperation and crime prevention.

In conclusion, while traditional policing focuses on a reactive model, using a top-down approach in responding to crime, community policing represents a paradigm shift towards a proactive model that seeks to integrate law enforcement with community problem-solving practices. The evolution from traditional to community policing underscores a broader shift in recognizing the role of community partnerships in fostering public safety and crime reduction.

References:

Gill, C., Weisburd, D., Telep, C. W., Vitter, Z., & Bennett, T. (2014). Community-oriented policing to reduce crime, disorder and fear and increase satisfaction and legitimacy among citizens: A systematic review. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 10(4), 399-428.

Goldstein, H. (1987). Toward community-oriented policing: Potential, basic requirements, and threshold questions. Crime & Delinquency, 33(1), 6-30.

Greene, J. R. (1989). Community-based policing: A review of the critical issues. Police Studies, 12(4), 23-32.

Kelling, G. L., & Moore, M. H. (1988). The evolving strategy of policing. Perspectives on Policing, 4, 1-15.

Moore, M. H., Trojanowicz, R. C., & Kelling, G. L. (1988). Crime and policing. Perspectives on Policing, 2. Skogan, W. G. (2006). Police and community in Chicago: A tale of three cities. Oxford University Press.

Trojanowicz, R., & Bucqueroux, B. (1990). Community policing: A contemporary perspective. Anderson Publishing.

Wilson, J. Q., & Kelling, G. L. (1982). Broken windows: The police and neighborhood safety. Atlantic Monthly, 249(3), 29-38.