| Community policing involves the police and the public working together to reduce crime. Because much federal funding assumes a community policing model, it is important to evaluate purported community policing programs to determine if they are indeed adhering to the tenets of community policing. To date, little research has done this. This study critically analyzed the community policing program and operational practices of patrol officers at the Rome Police Department in Rome, Georgia. The department's mission statement, community policing policy and procedure, reports, and patrol officers' opinions were used to determine whether the community policing program was being implemented in accordance with the operational definition of community policing. A qualitative, holistic, case study design used participant observation to report and analyze interview questions asked of patrol officers during a full-shift ride-along. Coding and comparing specific community policing related words and phrases were the basis for analysis. Results revealed that while participants believed they were practicing community policing, they did not fully understand its philosophy or implementation. By analyzing how the police and public work together, a better working relationship can be established to help improve the community and provide positive social change by addressing core social issues such as weak family values, unemployment, teenage pregnancy, welfare dependency, drug abuse, low education, and child abuse and neglect. |
