An Exploratory Assessment of Community-Oriented Policing Implementation, Social Disorganization and Crime in America

Abstract

Prior research has examined the impact of community-oriented policing (COP) on crime extensively. While the implementation of community policing has been considered mainly within the context of large police agencies, there is a paucity of research on how COP impacts crime reduction efforts in smaller locales. This study explores the effects of the degree of community policing implementation within smaller agencies and cities on crime. As part of the discussion on the impact of COP implementation, this paper also considers the impact of social disorganization on crime in the United States. The aim is to gain further insight into what variables may be influencing crime rates in contexts that garner less attention from researchers. The findings indicate that COP implementation does not significantly explain the variation of crime rates. Still, the statistically significant results on several social disorganization factors reflect the need to incorporate social disorganization theory with practice in order to maximize community-policing success. The implications of these results for police practice as well as directions for future research are discussed.

Untangling the role of interactions in police satisfaction: Examining direct and indirect contacts with the police

“…COP emphasizes the development of relationships between the police and stakeholders (Merenda et al, 2020; Uluturk et al ., 2017), and has been shown to be a distinct method of improving police and citizen relationships (Garcia and Polson, 2018; Gill et al ., 2014). These relationships between the police and the community can support crime prevention efforts and/or solve some crimes already committed (Przeszlowski and Crichlow, 2017; Schuck, 2019).…”

“…Research indicates that the quality of treatment and decision-making during procedurally just encounters drives perceptions of police legitimacy, which ultimately leads to greater levels of compliance and cooperation. To gain collaboration the police must be perceived as fair and honest as well as effective crime fighters (Lytle and Bolger, 2015; Przeszlowski and Crichlow, 2017; Reisig, 2007; Rosenbaum et al ., 2015; Tyler, 2003; Weitzen and Tuch, 2005). According to Tyler (2003), these perceptions of procedural justice can influence satisfaction with police and serve as key antecedents to police legitimacy.…”

“…The police role has expanded over the last several decades from solely crime fighter to collaborator and problem solver (Braga, 2015; Gill et al ., 2014; Przeszlowski and Crichlow, 2017; Yuksel and Tepe, 2013). There is consensus among scholars that in order for law enforcement to effectively carry out this expanded role, they need to be perceived by residents as procedurally just.…”

Choosing between Traditional Policing and Community-oriented Policing in the Quest for Peace and Security among Slum Dwellers in Lira City, Northern Uganda

“…The USA embraced COA strategies from the British system to empower communities to find a lasting solutions to the insecurity posed by high crime rates in the urban areas, especially slums. The popularity of COA in the USA influenced the creation of the Office of Community Policing Services in the mid-1990 [2]. This resulted to police-community partnerships and police transformation through community problem solving initiatives due to decentralization of police services.…”

Emergent Dimensions of Community-Oriented Policing

“… 3. In a study of 309 agencies, Przeszlowski and Crichlow (2018) found that only 27% reported implementing multiple comprehensive COP strategies, whereas 77% of agencies implemented at least a few. …”