Community policing in South Korea: an analysis of organizational determinants

Abstract

Three major reforms have been introduced in South Korea since 1945. The recent ongoing reform was the Grand Reform conducted from 1999. The goal of the Grand Reform was to change the nation’s policing style from colonial policing to a more democratic policing that focuses on accountability to citizens and a service orientation of the police. Community policing was introduced as a core program of the Grand Reform in 1999. The survey of a national sample of 406 South Korean police officers suggested that some demographics and organizational characteristics were crucial factors that influence officers’ attitudes toward community policing. Policy implications and limitations were also discussed.