1. Introduction to Community Oriented Policing
Presented by: The Florida Regional Community Policing Institute at St. Petersburg College With Funding from: Department of Justice, COPS Office

2. Getting Started Introduction and Pretest Introduction of Instructor
RCPI Paperwork
Review of Course Goals
View “Building Bridges” video

3. Course Goals Participants will:
Understand the history & development of community policing
Understand the nature of police – community partnerships
Understand the basic elements of a genuine community policing philosophy
Demonstrate an understanding of the problem solving process and documenting results

4. Unit Two: Introduction to Community Oriented Policing
Historically law enforcement was tasked to non military local groups within a village
Public Shaming without trial common tool to maintain order
“Professional Policing” first conceived by Sir Robert Peel

5. Development of Modern Policing by Sir Robert Peel.
1829, Peel presented “An Act for Improving the Police in and near the Metropolis” to Parliament = First Metro Police Force in London
NINE (9) timeless Peel’s principles in course book:
#1 – Prevent Crime and Disorder
#2 - Public approval of police existence

6. Peel’s Principles Continued
#3 – Secure willing cooperation (of the public)
#4 – Cooperation diminishes with the necessity for the use of force
#5 – Constant demonstration of absolute impartiality in police service
#6 – Use only the minimum of force necessary

7. Peel’s Principles Continued
#7 – Police are the public and the public are the police
#8 – Never appear to usurp the powers of the judiciary
#9 – Police efficiency = absence of crime and disorder

8. History of Modern Policing in the U.S.
First professional police force developed out of the “Ward Concept” in NYC – 1844
Police find themselves tied to politics and political leaders to the point of being hired and supervised by politicians

9. 20th Century Policing in U.S.
1920 – August Vollmer develops mobile police force, M.O. files, and wants cops to seek higher education
1930’s O.W. Wilson enhances height and weight requirements for police plus promotes quick response, preventative patrol and follow up investigations and higher education

10. Problems with the “Professional Model” of Policing
Events of the 1960’s were turbulent times for law enforcement
1968 President’s Commission on Crime results in significant $$$$ being placed in law enforcement programs of all types and description in the 1970’s

11. Unit Three: Defining Community Policing:
Learning Objectives of this Unit:
Understand Community Policing is a philosophy – not a program or strategy
Accurately define and identify Community Policing
Explore how Community Policing Principles are applied

12. Three General Policing Strategies
Traditional – typical 911 reactive response to criminal activity
Problem Oriented Policing – proactive process using police analysis with little or no input from community
Community Oriented Policing – coactive approach incorporating working relationship between community and police

13. Understanding the Community Policing Philosophy
Based upon partnerships between police and the communities they serve
Empower communities to help make things better
Allows communities to become self reliant
Enhances the overall quality of life

14. Principles of Community Oriented Policing
Community Policing values the traditional tools of arrest and prosecution
Community Policing shifts cop focus from responding to individual incidents to addressing root problems using problem solving techniques
Officers must be empowered by being supported and given time, trust and commitment by administration

15. Differences between Traditional and Community Policing
See comprehensive chart in
Course Manual on
PAGE 13

16. Unit Four: Police / Community Partnership and Problem Solving
Learning Objectives of this Unit:
Acquaint Participants with nature and importance of police community partnerships
Identify essential elements of developing partnerships
Introduce the SARA Problem Solving model
Provide helpful ideas for conducting community meetings

17. Understanding Police / Community Partnerships
Spontaneous Mobilization – is a short lived reaction to an incident(s) which quickly dissipates
Planned Mobilization – long ranged process involving education, motivation and organization which yields long ranged solutions

18. Community Policing KEY Components are:
PARTNERSHIPPING
PROBLEM SOLVING

19. The Problem Solving Process
Community Perceptions are their reality and perceptions must be engaged and dealt with
Dealing only with problem symptoms and not with problem root never yields desired result
Too much symptom dealing wastes $$ and community loses confidence in agency and agency personnel

20. Key Elements and Techniques of Problem Solving
Problem = a basic unit of police work consisting of a group or pattern of crimes, calls, cases or incidents
A problem concerns community & police; not just police
Problems must be accurately defined before a workable solution can be achieved

21. Key Elements and Techniques of Problem Solving Continued
Department’s level of response must be acknowledged (No one has unlimited $$$$$)
Problem must be understood by those persons affected
Responses must be proactive
Responses must be evaluated
Circle of Concern – Circle of Influence

22. Unit Five: SARA Problem Solving Model
Learning Objectives of this Unit:
Understand the four components of the SARA problem solving process
Acknowledge the essential importance of community participation and input
Allow participants to practically use the SARA problem solving model

23. Benefits of SARA Process
Provides a formal procedure to be used uniformly be adapting agency
Increases likelihood of effective solution being achieved
Relies on the direct input, expertise and creativity of line level officer
Requires involvement of the community

24. Steps of the SARA Problem Solving Method
“S”can – Identify the Problem
“A”nalyze - Understand the Problem
“R”espond – Developing a problem solution
“A”ssess – Evaluate the effectiveness of the plan and what remains to be done

25. SARA – Practice Problem (Scenario)
Here’s a simple scenario which illustrates the application of the SARA problem solving method

26. Other Effective Problem Solving Principles
Old patterns hinder new solutions
Trial and Error may work as well as logic
Use observers to identify processes and how and through whom problems are solved
Anticipate problems
Remove as much emotion as you can

27. Analysis and Assessment of Problem Information
Beyond the problem incidents themselves, one must understand the social and physical context of the problem events
The most ignored or under developed step in the SARA process is the accurate assessment of the process to determine whether goals were accomplished

28. Unit Six: Identifying Resources
Learning Objectives of this Unit:
To acquaint participants with the process of identifying resources
How to identify potential resources
Speak to the many resources currently being used by community policing officers

29. Resource Development
Development of community resources can mean around the clock attention is being paid to community problems
All neighborhood problems are important
“Minor” concerns can develop into enormous problems over time
Engage the community

30. Identifying Police Information and Activity Sources
Consider both formal and informal information gathering processes
Some community leaders will never come to a meeting – identify and go to them
Do not overlook the unique types of information available from specific sections of your own agency
Consider utilizing the media and community surveys

31. Consider these other courses offered by the Florida RCPI
Police - Community Partnerships
Problem Solving for CPO & Citizen
Survival Skills for CPO
Building Bridges: CPO’s & Citizens
Changing Roles: Supervising CPOs
Effective Media Skills for LEO
Reaching Goals through Codes Enf.
Crime Prevention - CPTED