Community Policing
Definition
A philosophy where police and residents work together as partners to solve problems and prevent crime, not just respond to 911 calls. Community policing emphasizes officers building relationships through foot patrols, attending community meetings, and addressing quality-of-life issues before they escalate. Research shows community policing improves residents’ satisfaction with police, their view of local disorder, and police legitimacy, with limited effects on crime itself (Gill et al. 2014, Journal of Experimental Criminology). Implementation requires dedicated staffing and neighborhood engagement.