What is "community policing"?

Community policing is a strategy that emphasizes the establishment of strong relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. This approach encourages proactive interactions and partnerships, allowing police officers to engage with community members to collaboratively identify and solve problems related to crime and disorder. The foundation of community policing lies in fostering trust and cooperation, which can lead to improved safety, community satisfaction, and a more effective police force.

This strategy contrasts sharply with more aggressive law enforcement techniques or traditional reactive methods, which can result in a focus on enforcement without community engagement. While technologies and crime prevention methods may play a role in policing, community policing specifically prioritizes the human element of law enforcement, making the relationship between officers and citizens central to its effectiveness.