Community policing and problem –oriented policing both are new and exciting approaches in policing. Though they differ in many ways, they both aim at a common goal, reducing crime and disorder. Community policing, though having diverse meanings and interpretations, is viewed as a philosophy and not as a program. Others argue that the community policing is not a philosophy whatsoever rather, it is an empty shell. This in itself makes it an exciting food for thought. Problem-oriented policy on the other hand attempts to find solutions to problems in a manner that employs SARA (Scanning, analysis, response and assessment). These concepts really do not occur simply because of good Police work but they are used by the police departments and organizations in problem solving such as in reduction of crime and disorder.
In view of the effectiveness, community policing is not that effective while object-oriented policing is very effective. Community policing is not that effective due to the following four factors: Variation in program scope, programmatic complexity, multiple effects and research design limitations. These challenges are not listed as excuses or threats but to show the reality in the difficulty of producing reliable information on the use of this approach in problem solving.
Problem-oriented policing can comfortably be said to be reliable due to the fact that it follows a four step procedure in problem solution. This is what makes it interactive and reciprocal. It constantly reproduces itself and constantly available. The four step procedure are:- The officer scans then he makes analysis by collecting relevant information, he then responds by using the available information to develop and implement available solutions and lastly he assesses the area to see if the problem is solved.
The authors have done a great job in providing their cases; they give a clear outline of how the topics are tackled. They also go ahead to give examples in practice in several evaluations.
Dunham, Roger G. and Alpert, Geoffrey P. (2010) Critical Issues in Policing, 6th Edition, Waveland Press: Long Grove, IL. ISBN 1-57766-622-4 and ISBN 978-1-57766-622-6
