Problem-Oriented Policing: From Innovation to Mainstream (Crime Prevention Studies)

Leading authorities in the field address the theory and practice of problem-oriented policing, i.e. an approach which moves away from an incident-driven approach to policing towards more proactive and preventive approaches. They assess the advantages and disadvantages of this increasingly important approach in the work of the police, review progress that has been made in implementing this concept, and consider what needs to be done to improve the number and quality of problem-oriented policing projects. Topics addressed in this book include the receptivity of police managers and line officers to problem-oriented policing, the willingness and capacity of police organisations to make necessary changes, the in-house expertise of police in crime analysis, support from academia and the research community in supporting good practice, the need for police to be aware of concepts from situational crime prevention and environmental criminology, experience in implementing other evidence based strategies like repeat victimization and the expectations of the wider community about the police role and function.