Problem Oriented Policing

Abstract

Problem-oriented policing has been the cause of changes in police departments all across the nation. Is this style of policing really effective and a continued help to departments? This paper will examine problem-oriented policing and shed some light into the present activities of police departments and how they have changed because of problem-oriented policing.

Problem-Oriented Policing and its Past, Present, and Future Implications

Problem oriented Policing, according to the Australian Institute of Criminology, is defined as, "Ð'...a method for improving police effectiveness through examining and acting on the underlying conditions that give rise to community problems" (www.aic.gov.au) Trying to improve police departments was and is the current goal. This approach has been the cause for several different changes in the style of policing in our past, present and will most likely into the future.

The Problem-oriented approached has been around for approximately 35 years. A group of researchers, police professionals, and policymakers conducted several different research studies and through this research several key elements of problem-oriented policing came to light. According to the Center for Problem-oriented Policing website these elements are:

Ð'* "A problem is the basic unit of police work rather than a crime, a case, calls, or incidents.

Ð'* A problem is something that concerns or causes harm to citizens, not just the police. Things that concern only police officers are important, but they are not problems in this sense of the term.

Ð'* Addressing problems means more than quick fixes: it means dealing with conditions that create problems.

Ð'* Police officers must routinely and systematically analyze problems before trying to solve them, just as they routinely and systematically investigate crimes before making an arrest. Individual officers and the department as a whole must develop routines and systems for analyzing problems.

Ð'* The analysis of problems must be thorough even though it may not need to be complicated. This principle is as true for problem analysis as it is for criminal investigation.

Ð'* Problems must be described precisely and accurately and broken down into specific aspects of the problem. Problems often aren't what they first appear to be.

Ð'* Problems must be understood in terms of the various interests at stake. Individuals and groups of people are affected in different ways by a problem and have different ideas about what should be done about the problem.

Ð'* The way the problem is currently being handled must be understood and the limits of effectiveness must be openly acknowledged in order to come up with a better response.

Ð'* Initially, any and all possible responses to a problem should be considered so as not to cut short potentially effective responses. Suggested responses should follow from what is learned during the analysis. They should not be limited to, nor rule out, the use of arrest.

Ð'* The police must pro-actively try to solve problems rather than just react to the harmful consequences of problems.

Ð'* The police department must increase police officers' freedom to make or participate in important decisions. At the same time, officers must be accountable for their decision-making.

Ð'* The effectiveness of new responses must be evaluated so these results can be shared with other police officers and so the department can systematically learn what does and does not work. (Michael Scott and Herman Goldstein 1988.)" (www.popcenter.org)

Through these key elements problem-oriented policing has changed the style