Community-Oriented Policing (COP) and Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) - Assignment Example

1. In Community Orientated Policing Services (COPS) activities, the objective is to work out how to effectively cover the various neighborhoods that a patrol beat will cover. COPS is a system for building relationships in the community so as to better interact with the public on a more trusting level (Craven 2009). Problem Orientated Policing (POP) is a constructive method of tools for addressing specific problems in the community. As an example, the SARA method is one model in a set of tools for reviewing problems and figuring out ways to solve them (SARA 2013).

The term stands for Scanning, Analysis, Response and Assessment. 2. The most essential component necessary for implementing a COP program would be the need for more community interaction between police officers and local citizens (Hunter & Barker 2011). In addition, there must also be the desire by the community to help with strategic planning in a proactive atmosphere, recruit volunteers to help police as eyes and ears to the community, and the patrol range must be manageable by the police in order to make rounds at least a good number of times for a more effective police presence (Craven 2009).3. In the case of the POP programs, there has to be a very evident problem which requires strategic thinking and planning for the accomplishment of goals.

This usually means there must be a goal for eliminating a specific crime in a certain part of the community. Car theft which might be on the rise, means that police patrols may need to set up stings for catching thieves and to also change their usual schedules by showing up at different times than when normally expected (SARA 2013).4. The most desirable outcomes for implementing either a COPS or POP program is to accomplish goals which make the community a better place to live and work in (Hunter & Parker 2011).

Whenever a community feels threatened by criminal activity, then the citizens live in fear and this means that people will sometimes clam up to the police, creating a rift between the two groups (Depsey & Forst 2013). It is essential for the police to get the citizens on the side of the police officers and to promote working together on patrols and in community programs (Craven 2009; Hunter & Parker 2011).5. Some of the greatest challenges for implementing a COPS or POP program is that police department funds may have been cut, thus reducing hours allowed on the street for neighborhood patrols.

Additionally, cuts in technology funding might mean that officers may lose the means for interacting back to the office by cell phone or in having the ability to access records through hand-carried computing systems. Budget cuts may also mean that officers will be laid off and there are less officers on the streets to create a more safe environment for the communities (Corder & Scarborough 2010).ResourcesCordner, G.W. & Scarborough, K.E. (2010). Police Administration. (7th ed.). Cincinnati, OH: Anderson Publishing.Craven, K. (2009).

Foot Patrols: Crime Analysis and Community Engagement to Further the Commitment to Community Policing. Community Policing Dispatch (COPS) Online. Retrieved from Dempsey, J.S. & Forst, L.S. (2013). An Introduction to Policing (7th ed.). Independence, KY: Cengage Learing.Hunter, R.D., & Barker, T. (2011). Police – Community Relations and the administration of Justice. (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.SARA. (2013). Center for Problem-Oriented Policing. CPOP Online/SARA. Retrieved from < http://www.popcenter.org/about/?p=sara>