Community Policing: Comparative Perspectives and Prospects (St. in Biology, Economy and Society)

This book compares community policing initiatives in Canada, Great Britain, Israel, and the United States and discusses similar efforts in other countries that have experimented with this policing strategy. The author defines community policing as "a policy and a strategy aimed at achieving more effective and efficient crime control, reduced fear of crime, improved quality of life, improved police services and police legitimacy, through a proactive reliance on community resources that seeks to change crime-causing conditions. It assumes a need for greater accountability of police, greater public share in decision making and greater concern for civil rights and liberties." The book begins with an examination of the major influences on community policing: the social, political, and other forces that shaped its emergence. The author then discusses its theoretical underpinnings, promises, practices, and limits. This is followed by a discussion of some of the key pertinent variables, such as fear of crime, attitudes of officers, attitudes of citizens, victimization, and police administration and its relation to other social service agencies as well as the media. Four chapters examine community policing in the four countries, with attention to community policing conceptualization, implementation, experience with, and knowledge of community policing. Also considered are studies that have evaluated community policing projects and other relevant issues such as sources for innovation outside the police, citizen participation, and multi-agency cooperation. Following the presentations of the four countries, the discussion highlights similarities and differences among the countries and contrasts the promises or challenges with the drawbacks or limitations of community policing. The final chapter discusses the implications of current activities for future trends in community policing and policing innovations in general

Community Policing: Comparative Perspectives and Prospects compares community policing initiatives in Canada, Great Britain, Israel, and the United States and discusses similar efforts in other countries that have experimented with this policing strategy. The book deals with a range of pertinent issues, including fear of crime, the attitudes of police officers and citizens, and victimization. Other issues addressed include: police administration, style, and training; how community policing is portrayed in the media; and the relationship between the police and other social services. Throughout, emphasis is placed on the concept of community policing, the forces that make it work, and the resources that can be mobilized to assist the police. By developing a workable, concise definition of community policing and presenting a critical look at its limitations and promises, Community Policing provides an invaluable guide for students and researchers of policing, criminology, and public administration, as well as police officers and administrators responsible for the policy's implementation.

Front Matter....Pages i-xvii Introduction....Pages 1-7 Front Matter....Pages 9-9 Concepts and theoretical considerations in community policing....Pages 11-39 Crime, perceptions, attitudes and victimization....Pages 40-59 External and internal environments of community policing....Pages 60-94 Front Matter....Pages 95-98 Community policing in Canada....Pages 99-109 Community policing in England....Pages 110-126 Community policing in Israel....Pages 127-143 Community policing in the United States....Pages 144-162 Front Matter....Pages 163-163 Current trends and implications....Pages 165-182 Emerging issues and future prospects....Pages 183-207 Back Matter....Pages 208-261