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lecture_4_problem-oriented_policing_1.pptxProblem-Oriented Policing
Development of POP
Herman Goldstein is credited with first introducing problem-oriented policing (POP)
1979 article outlines the POP framework
Police departments plagued by “means over ends”
What does that mean????
PDs focus on improving organizational efforts and operating methods
Little focus on substantive outcomes
Development of POP
Too much emphasis on professional model of policing has moved PD focus away from solving problems
Means = Staffing, management, and organization
Ends = outcomes, resolving problems
What should the police be doing??
Development of POP
Police need to focus on end result of efforts
Ends = Problems public wants solved
Why?????
Factors that affect police administration are pushing agencies towards POP
E.g., Financial crisis, Research findings, Consumer advocacy
Development of POP
To focus on the end result of efforts, police agencies need to
Develop systematic process for examining and addressing the problems that the public expects them to handle
Precise problem identification
Research of problems
Document nature of current police responses
Impact of current police responses
Adequacy of resources and authority
Exploring alternatives to current police response
POP Described
Focus is on problems
Goldstein’s definition
“broad range of troublesome situations that prompt citizens to turn to the police”
E.g., street robbery, residential burglary, domestic violence, vandalism, speeding cars, terrorism, fear
Need to be distinguished from problems identified from police administrators, police personnel, and most advocates of police reform
How are they different?
POP Systematic Process
Systematic process for focusing on problems
Goldstein identifies 3 components to POP approach:
Precise Problem Identification
Researching the Problem
Exploring the Alternatives
POP Systematic Process
Precise Problem Identification
Broad (legal) categories are useless
Why?
Mask diverse forms of behavior
Could lead to decriminalization of certain problems
Suggests that police role is restricted to arrest/prosecution
Need better description of problem
What is needed?
Additional characteristics
E.g., Location, Time, Participants’ ‘behavior and motivation
POP Systematic Process
2. Researching the problem
How is this done?
Need to establish magnitude of the problem and how it surfaces
Best resource?
Patrol officers, have ability to explore problems in great detail
Different ways of dealing with problems; they are situational
Other resources?
Businesses, government agencies, and citizens
POP Systematic Process
3. Exploring the alternatives
Alternatives must be different from previous responses
Not just CJ responses
Public, private, and community organizations that have a stake
What should be explored?
E.g., Development of new skills, New forms of authority, Development of new community resources, Increased regulation, Use of zoning
Implementation of POP
Goldstein suggests that POP process must first be introduced by police administrators
Administration must reflect this new way of thinking about the police and their functions
Why???
So, it catches on to subordinates over time
Effect on Organization
POP may contribute to police agencies whose objectives are concerned with improving administration and the organization
How so????
Tap police expertise
Attractive to citizens and the police, thereby resulting in a vehicle for organizational change
Long-run Considerations
While POP brings with it increased benefits, it also creates potential for risks
Decentralization puts dual pressure on line supervisors and sergeants
Make operational decisions and provide leadership, which encourages creative analysis and response
Changes in police role can lead to….
Avoidance of controversial problems
“Turf” issues
Increased risks
Abuse of discretion
Slow process
Consequences for failure to solve a problem
Examples of POP
See Eck and Spelman (pp. 40 – 45)
Baltimore, MD
Loch Raven Apartments
Belmont Treehouse
Newport News, VA
Thefts from vehicles
Domestic violence
