What is community-oriented policing?

Community-oriented policing is fundamentally defined as a collaborative approach that actively engages the community in public safety efforts. This model emphasizes building strong partnerships between the police and the community to identify and solve public safety issues together. By fostering trust and communication, law enforcement can better understand the needs and concerns of the community they serve, which allows for a more effective and holistic approach to crime prevention and community wellbeing.

This approach contrasts significantly with strategies that focus primarily on increasing patrols or solely on crime investigation, which do not prioritize community collaboration. Additionally, it diverges from tactics that lean heavily towards enforcement, neglecting the importance of community input and partnership, which are essential in promoting safety in a more sustainable way.