Community policing is a collaborative effort between the police and the community that identifies problems of crime and disorder and involves all elements of the community in the search for solutions to these problems. It is founded on close, mutually beneficial ties between police and community members.
While police continue to handle crime fighting and law enforcement responsibilities, the police and community work together to modify conditions that can encourage criminal behavior (Virginia, 1999).
There appears to be very little discussion in the literature about existing or potential problems relating to community policing. William (2002) is one of the few who discusses potential problems in any detail. He points out for instance that, in a holistic context particularly, community policing gives more autonomy, greater discretion and more active participation in decision-making to the lowest levels in the organization (that is the constables) who, by the nature of their work, already have considerable autonomy. Police managers may feel threatened by this increase in a constable's 'autonomy of thought' because of a perception that they will 'lose control' of their personnel (William 2002). This is perhaps one reason for the negative reaction of many police to community policing. Another potential problem with community policing has been identified as that of police manipulating the community.
This perceived problem could perhaps also be applicable to less formal groups within the community who liaise with police (Dye, MacManus, 2002). A further problem with community policing is that it may be used by government and police to gain support for the more 'military-style' police tactics. William (2002) is of the opinion that community policing in the United States was recommended by Lord Scarman in his report on the Brixton riots in order that police had support of at least some sections of the community in the....
