When did police begin to implement community or problem-oriented policing projects?

The implementation of community or problem-oriented policing projects began to gain prominence in the 1980s and has continued to evolve to the present day. This approach shifted the focus of policing from a traditional model, which primarily emphasized crime suppression and rapid response to incidents, towards a more collaborative model that seeks to engage with communities.

Community policing emphasizes partnership between police forces and the communities they serve, aiming to identify and address the underlying issues that contribute to crime and disorder. This model emerged as a response to a growing recognition that effective policing requires community involvement and that officers can be more effective when they work collaboratively with residents to identify and solve problems.

The period from the 1980s to today is marked by significant advancements in policing philosophy, strategies, training, and community engagement efforts. Community policing initiatives have become integral to many police departments as they focus on prevention, proactive measures, and fostering trust and communication with the public. This paradigm shift reflects a broader understanding of public safety that includes addressing social issues and building community cohesion.