Evolution of Community Policing

Introduction

Community Policing is a philosophy of policing,

not a methodology. Maguire and Mastrofski
show that different agencies employ the
philosophy in different ways (2000, p.13).
As such, community policing is often used to
respond to different community needs, from
crime rate increases to demands for better
inter-community relations. Vincent and
Crothers explain the shift to community policing
as meeting these needs effectively (1994, p.

Evolution of Community Policing

From the 1900's to the 1930's

Zhao, He, and Lovrich point out that these three

decades were a national transition for the
political model to the professional model of
policing (2003, p. 717). In 1908, Chief August
Vollmer created the Berkley Police School
(Bennett, 2010), while the FBI began a
campaign for professional policing during the
1930's (Blakely, 2008, p. 44).

Evolution of Community Policing

The 1960's

The skyrocketing rates of crime and violent riots

in the 1960's led to calls for reform in the
nations police forces.

Evolution of Community Policing

Studies in the 1970's

In 1968, James Wilson defined 3 models of

policing; the legalistic, watchman,and service
styles (He, Zhao, & Lovrich, 2005, p.301).
Mirsky notes that researchers in the 1970s
wanted to improve upon the professional model
limitations (2009, p.1). Carter, as as particpant
in the Kansas City Preventive Patrol
experiment, noted that experimental research
could be effectively performed in a police
agency without posing undue threats to public

Evolution of Community Policing

Implementation in the 1990's

Tillman states that implementation began as a

way to foster better relations between the
police and community (2004, p.4). Chicago
started their CAPS program in 1993, while
Chicago started their own program in 1994.
These initial programs focused on the
community relations aspects of community
policing.

Evolution of Community Policing

Terror of the 2000's

The terror attacks in 2001 led to a national
integration of the concept of homeland security.
Local agencies were specifically tasked with
homeland security as a responsibility.
Friedmann and Cannon point out that there was
a realization of the value that community
policing holds for homeland security leading to
its incorporation as a key element (2007, p. 1).

Evolution of Community Policing

Intelligence Led Policing (ILP)

One issue brought to attention during the
examination of the causes of 9/11 was a lack of
information sharing. ILP was promoted as a
way of meeting both national and local
intelligence responsibilities. Carter asserts that
ILP is a dimension of community policing,
building on tactics and methodologies
developed during years of community policing
experimentation (2004, p. 44). One could say
that ILP is the latest evolution of the model.

Evolution of Community Policing

References Page 1

Bennett, C. (2010, May 27). Legendary lawman August Vollmer. Officer.com.

Retrieved November 15, 2014 from
http://www.officer.com/article/10232661/legendary-lawman-august-vollmer
Blakely, C. (2008). American criminal justice philosophy revisited. Federal
Probation, 72(1), 4347,72
Carter, D. L. (1995). Reflections on the move to community policing: Regional
Community Policing Institute. Retrieved August 10, 2014 from
http://webs.wichita.edu/depttools/depttoolsmemberfiles/rcpi/Policy
%20Papers/Reflections%20on%20Comm%20Pol.pdf
Carter, D. L. (2004). Law enforcement intelligence: A guide for state, local, and
tribal law enforcement agencies. US Department of Justice, Office of
Community Oriented Policing Services . Retrieved May 19, 2015 from
http://www.riskintel.com/wpcontent/uploads/downloads/2011/07/Carter_Intelli
gence_Guide.pdf

Evolution of Community Policing

References Page 2

Friedmann, R. R., & Cannon, W. J. (2007). Homeland security and community

policing: Competing or Complementing Public Safety Policies. Journal of
Homeland Security & Emergency Management, 4(4), 120.
He, N., Zhao, J., & Lovrich, N. P. (2005). Community policing: A Preliminary
assessment of environmental impact with panel data on program
implementation in U.S. cities. Crime & Delinquency, 51(3), 295317. http://
doi.org/10.1177/0011128704266756
Maguire, E. R., & Mastrofski, S. D. (2000). Patterns of community policing in
the
United States. Police Quarterly, 3(1), 445.
Mirsky, I. (2009). Community oriented policing. Internet Journal of Criminology,
114.
Zhao, J., He, N., & Lovrich, N. P. (2003). Community policing - Did it change the
basic functions of policing in the 1990s? Justice Quarterly, 20(4).