Assignment
Police officials who have decided to adopt the community-policing philosophy need to first understand both community-oriented policing (COP) and problem-oriented policing (POP) programs. Once a particular program has been accepted by all organizational members, there is the need to properly plan for a COP or POP program. The planning process requires various steps or phases, including the following:
Time for consideration of how to prepare the project or program
When to initiate the program or project (the actual full implementation)
A preliminary evaluation of the program or project’s milestones
What follow-up and assessments of the program or project should be conducted
Other planning considerations could include any unforeseen obstacles and problems that could stall the implementation of the program or project.
Assignment Guidelines
In 4–6 paragraphs, address the following:
In your own words, define problem-oriented policing (POP). Compare and contrast it to community-oriented policing (COP), making sure to list both the things they have in common and the unique qualities of each.
Review crime statistics from a location of your choice (such as an area near where you live) using a source of your choosing or by going to this Web site to find real-life problems in an area of your choice: Crime Reports.
Pick a problem in your chosen area. The problem can be very simple and small or wide-reaching and large. Examples of a problem may be vehicle break-ins, vandalism, or theft.
Using what you know about your chosen area, devise a POP strategy to address the problem. Explain how your strategy can help in overall COP efforts in the area. If there is a way to involve information technology in your strategy, be sure to explain.
