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Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)
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Community Policing
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Police and citizens often come into contact with each other for reasons other than criminal investigation. In addition to enforcing criminal law, police officers often engage in community service. Community service may include providing information and/or assistance to people in need, as well as offering youth education and coordinating community outreach efforts. In many communities, police officers network to establish partnerships between residents and the law enforcement agency. Community-oriented policing seeks to address the causes of crime and to reduce fear of social disorder through problem-solving strategies and police- community partnerships. Typically, it involves a greater use of foot and bicycle patrols and frequent meetings with community groups.

Summary findings

  • In 2003, 58% of all departments, employing 82% of officers, used full-time community policing officers during 2003.  Collectively, there were about 54,800 local police officers designated as community police officers.
  • Sixty percent of departments, including more than 80% of those serving 25,000 or more residents, had problem-solving partnerships or written agreements with community groups, local agencies, or others in 2003.
  • Forty-three percent of departments, employing 74% of all officers, used full-time school-resource officers in 2003.  Collectively, these agencies employed about 14,300 such officers.
  • Seventy-four percent of local police departments in 2003 provided crime prevention education to citizens.  About two-thirds (65%) of departments provided animal control services in 2003.  Other special public safety functions included school crossing services (42%), emergency medical services (26%), civil defense (19%), and fire services (10%).
  • Overall, 37% of residents in 12 cities reported seeing police talking with residents in their neighborhood and 24% of respondents reporting seeing police facilitating crime watch and prevention activities.

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Terms & Definitions

Community policing A philosophy that promotes organizational strategies, which support the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques betwen the police and the community. These strategies proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime. For more information about community policing please visit the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) website.
 
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