Problem-Oriented Policing

Book excerpt: The classic book on problem-oriented policing (POP), is now back in print. Written by Professor Herman Goldstein, one of the most highly regarded scholars in the field of policing who originated the POP concept, this monograph presents a new model for developing police services that corrects for the inadequacies and conflicts inherent in the traditional model. While originally published in 1990, the concept is even more relevant today as a response to meeting current concerns regarding the complex role of the police in a society that seeks to increase police effectiveness while placing the highest value on operating in accord with democratic principles. It calls for reorienting police agencies so that they place highest emphasis on: (1) analyzing each of the specific behavioral problems that the public expects them to handle; (2) developing new, creative, tailor-made responses to each such problem, giving top priority to preventive measures and trying to avoid over dependence on the criminal justice system, and engaging the community more fully; (3) realigning their organization, leadership, recruitment and training to support this orientation.