Community policing

After describing New York City's Community Patrol Officer Program (CPOP), this report presents the evaluation methodology, findings, and recommendations. CPOP is an innovative program designed to solve problems at the community level through neighborhood patrol officers who maintain a regular "beat," rather than changing tours every week. These officers take special interest in their neighborhoods as they identify the principal crime and order-maintenance problems and devise strategies to address them. Over a 4-year period, the program was expanded to all 75 precincts and is now at the core of New York City's plan to transform its police department. The evaluation of this program focused on the officers' effectiveness in the implementation of their new roles, the obstacles encountered, and the communities' response. The evaluation consisted of interviews with beat officers, their supervisors, commanding officers, and community residents. The evaluation identified many reasons for satisfaction with what has been accomplished by CPOP and projects optimism for the program's future. Shortcomings were found, however, in implementation, community involvement, and command support.