ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses how community policing evolved from theory to practice and summarizes the core elements of community policing. However, the chapter also discusses how community policing remains at a crossroads despite community policing being around for over 30 years. The chapter discusses how police agencies continue to be split between community engagement and social responsiveness and aggressive crime-fighting approaches. The chapter discusses specific issues regarding community policing including the continued use of disorder and pathology metaphors, the growing emphasis on risk management, and unequal partnerships. The chapter ends by restating the key findings from the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing and its call to reemphasize community policing.
