Chapter 5 - Managing and Implementing Community Policing

Abstract

Police administrators have a key role to play in community policing. It requires everyone working together to change the department's course and move it toward a philosophy that provides people with a higher quality of service. Successful implementation requires evaluating the department's organizational structure and making changes. Authority must be decentralized to the point that unit commanders, supervisors, and officers have the authority solve the problems that they confront. Community policing dictates that the police must substantially expand their role to include problem solver and concerned community member. The police have a broad, overarching responsibility to attempt to improve the quality of life of its residents. Performance evaluations and promotion processes should focus on community policing attributes. The department's management and supervision processes should constantly reinforce community policing. The police must develop partnerships with community members, groups, and other governmental agencies. Alleviation of many community problems requires a cooperative effort among different groups of people.