COPPS

What is "Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving?"

Community oriented policing forges a partnership and relationship between the police and the community to control crime and devise a strategy that utilizes available resources to develop a long term solution. Officers are empowered at the line level to interact as problem-solvers with the community we serve.  Management becomes support staff for the efforts of those individuals who are collaborating with residential and business community members to solve problems.

Additionally, Community Oriented Policing:

-Promotes and requires partnership and two-way communication

-Is proactive

-Encourages problem-solving as a tactic

-Attacks the causes and not just the symptoms of crime and disorder

-Stresses community participation and empowerment

-Promotes the development of trust

-Provides a broader role for line officers to be problem-solvers

Community Oriented Policing is not a "program".  Its strategies and methodologies are designed to effectively address the crime trends the community may be experiencing. It is a philosophy about how we as a Department can serve our community in a more efficient and productive way.