The Center for Problem-oriented Policing

Citation

Carter, J.W. (2006), "The Center for Problem-oriented Policing", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 29 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/pijpsm.2006.18129dag.001

The Center for Problem-oriented Policing

One area of policing that has received an enormous amount of attention is the area of problem-oriented policing (POP). Despite all the attention, support and discussion of POP, it can be seem quite a daunting subject for officers and agencies that are being exposed to POP for the first time. The question that might arise is “Where do I start?” In answer to that question, there is an excellent source, available online that prove very valuable to the newcomer to POP and POP veterans alike – the web site for The Center for Problem-oriented Policing. The Center’s web site is accessible at www.popcenter.org/, and contains many resources for departments wishing to focus more on POP.

The web site defines POP and provides a brief history, as well as, providing a list of essential elements of POP. It also includes an explanation of the SARA model of POP (a four-stage process for identifying, analyzing a problem, formulating and implementing a solution and how to evaluate the project) and explains the theoretical foundation for POP.

In addition to explaining POP, the Center’s web site provides “response guides” for various problems, organized by topic area (e.g. alcohol/drug problems vs business-related problems vs vehicle-related problems, etc.). Each of these guides are miniature analyses of problems, explaining such topics as how related crimes are committed, their occurrence, considerations to keep in mind when tackling a local problem of this type and ways to evaluate a local effort of problem solving. Particularly interesting is the inclusion of links to abstracts of various studies mentioned/cited in the guides. Users are able to connect with scholarly work in the topic area and obtain a more in-depth look at study findings. In fact, there is an entire “library” section that allows users to access bibliographies of key pieces of the POP and crime prevention literature and review classic projects of POP done across the country.

Of particular interest is a section of analysis tools, written by experts in the field of POP, that can guide practitioners in applying the principles of POP to local problems. For example, there are tools for researching a problem, assessing responses to problems, how to analyze repeat victimizations and how to partner with businesses to further POP efforts. Hard copies of each of these tool guides can be ordered from the Department of Justice COPS Response Center in bound form, as well.

Finally, there is a “learning center” section that actually allows users to apply POP interactively to solve a hypothetical problem with street prostitution. Also included in the “learning center” is the Problem Analysis Module, in which users input the specifics of their local problem and the module will guide them through the problem-solving process, step by step.

On a practical level, the web site for the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing is extremely user-friendly and easy to navigate. However, the standard caveat applies, in that a lot of the downloadable files are PDF files requiring the Adobe Reader program, available for free download at www.adobe.com

In conclusion, whether you are an “old hand” at POP or a newcomer, practitioner or student, this web site is essential to understanding the full potential of POP. I know that both my policing students and I will be visiting this site in the future. This is definitely a web site worth including in your “bookmarks.”

J.W. Carter IIUniversity of Cincinnati