Community policing
Community policing is an effective means of addressing public calls for improved safety by merging police services with public action.
Community policing is a long-term solution to crime problems in neighbourhoods, sectors or cities, but does not replace the need for traditional police activity in reaction to situations.
No universal community policing model exists, but there are a variety of models that accommodate the defining features of a particular country or city. A community approach is usually based on similar broad general principles:
- Rapport with citizens
(1,12 mb)
- A partnership with representatives of community organizations and local institutions, to more effectively merge police services with the community (1,01 mb)
- An updated police response, with a focus on problem-solving for solutions to crime and delinquency problems (3,02 mb)
- Reinforcement of preventive initiatives (3,02 mb) to prevent the occurrence of delinquent behaviour
In Québec, community policing is supported by the Intersection network. This community network publishes Intersection magazine (in French) and organizes the annual Intersection seminar.
To acknowledge the contributions made by individuals and organizations that support community policing in Québec, a community policing award of recognition and the Intersection problem-resolution award of excellence are handed out each year.
Last Updated: 2007-02-20
