There is no single recipe for successful community policing implementation. The appropriate implementation strategy will depend, in part, on conditions within your law enforcement agency and your community. However, common to all community policing strategies are the three core components of problem solving, community partnership and change management. The basic requirements of these components are communication, cooperation, coordination, collaboration and change. Getting started requires a commitment to this community policing strategy.
Communication is the foundation for cooperation, coordination, collaboration and change.
It is important to start communication early in the community policing implementation process. If you are a representative of a law enforcement agency that is interested in implementing community policing, examine with your peers the crime control problems in your community and discuss how a community policing approach can enhance your current enforcement efforts. Share what you know about community policing with community members and representatives of community groups. Begin talking to them about their perceptions of crime and disorder in their neighborhoods. If you are a civilian, contact your local law enforcement agency to discuss its community policing efforts.