Problem-oriented policing: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 03:00, 25 December 2006

Revision as of 06:26, 14 January 2007

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Problem-oriented policing relies on the identification of problems by rank-and-file officers. Not all departments will define problems the same way, but a typical definition is:

*repeated Repeated incidents;

*occurring Occurring in a [[community]];

*with With related characteristics (e.g., behavior, ___location, people, time);

*that That concern both the community and the [[police]].

Where, under a traditional system, a patrol officer might answer repeated calls to a certain problem area or "hot spot" and deal only with each individual incident, that officer is encouraged under POP to discover the root cause of the problem and come up with ways of solving it. The goal is to find a cure for the ailment instead of merely treating the symptoms.

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The exploration of possible responses to a problem is handled by patrol officers. Once a problem is identified, officers are expected to work closely with community members to develop a solution, which can include a wide range of alternatives to arrest. These may focus on the offender, the community, the environment, outside agencies, or the need for some kind of [[mediation]]. Situations often demand that police and citizens fashion tailor-made responses to problems, so a high degree of importance is placed on creativity and discretion.

== Political issues and conflicts between actors ==

In the last decade the problem-oriented approach has become a popular one among police administrators and high-ranking city officials. There are two main reasons for this: First, it is an innovation readily accepted and approved by the public, which by and large welcomes the opportunity to be heard and to become more involved. Public favor translates into job security for administrators and elected officials. The second reason is the opportunity to collect substantial sums of money through federal grants. In 1995, a federal grant of $327 million from the [[U.S. Department of Justice]] was divided up among police departments implementing POP programs in the state of [[Arizona]]. The availability of federal grant money creates a real incentive for police agencies to embrace the POP revolution. Because POP policy may require considerable organizational restructuring, administrators can justify applications for inordinately large funds. A possible third reason is that POP usually represents a revolutionary change in procedures, and this can provide those who implement it with provocative material for books and speaking engagements.

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== External links ==

* [http://www.popcenter.org/ Center for Problem-Oriented Policing]