How it works: Community policing reduces crime, crashes and makes people feel safer in their neighbourhoods

Case studies of community policing in action

Community constables focus on problem-solving and crime prevention at a local level.

They aim to be visible, accessible and familiar to their community.

Their regular work may include:

Community policing aims to prevent crime by identifying the root cause of the problem and coming up with an effective response.

There are approximately 1,000 community policing staff around the country.

They usually focus on either a geographical area or a crime problem. Examples include

Community policing adapts to keep up with new developments in other areas of policing, such as:

• crime science (the study of crime to prevent, detect and solve it)
• intelligence-driven policing (analysis of information to build enforcement strategies that target the most serious offenders)
• crime and crash reduction (strategies designed to reduce crime and motor accidents).

Case studies of community policing in action
Enderley Gang Initiative Enderley, in Hamilton, had one of city's highest crime rates and levels of gang membership.
The community constable set up a panel with a cross section of local residents, including male and female, unemployed and employed, tenants and home owners, Maori and European. Together, they identified Enderley's core problems and the two best responses: establish a sports club and develop weeknight activities at the community centre. These could get young people off the streets and develop a sense of community.

The changes dramatically reduced crime and increased community confidence in police.
See Ten One article: Change for the better 
 

A community constable in Dinsdale, Hamilton, needed a better way to connect with her community. She found the library was a good place to meet a wide range of people, and started holding clinics every week. 
 

People often asked for advice about matters they wouldn't visit a police station about, such as crime prevention. She also encouraged people to form Neighbourhood Support groups.
See Ten One article: Community officer holds library clinic

Adopt-a-cop builds relationships in schools

Manawatu police were concerned most of their contact with local youth was negative, occurring only when young people tangled with the law. 
 

To improve the situation, they worked with a local college to take a successful primary-school programme one step further. Staff from a range of policing roles (including frontline, CIB and senior sergeants) visited the school once a week to talk with students. 
 

Eventually, 7 officers from Palmerston North and Feilding were 'adopted' by the college, cementing their improved relationships.  
See Ten One article: Adopt-a-cop scheme builds relationship with schools

Small business robbery prevention
Small city dairies are a common target for robbery. 

Police held a workshop with dairy owners in central Auckland, many of whom were from ethnic minorities. Community constables showed them practical ways to improve their safety, such as changing the layout of their shop. Information booklets were provided in the shopkeepers' first language.

Shopkeepers visited the 111 Communications Centre to better understand the emergency response system.

The shops were then visited by a community constable to discuss their individual situation.

Environmental makeover changes suburb
Crime in a Blenheim suburb dropped thanks to a Marlborough District Council Safer Communities initiative, which was supported by police and social services.

The project aimed to make the community safer by helping people tidy it up and claim ownership of it. The long-term project involved a wide range of activities including an intensive week-long makeover, engaging children in projects, setting up Neighbourhood Support, creating murals, planting vegetables and desexing cats.

Residents have developed a greater connection with all the agencies including police.
See Ten One article: Blenheim community clean up reduces crime

Kilbirnie Graffiti Initiative
Increased tagging in the eastern suburbs of Wellington City led the local community constable to work alongside the Wellington City Council to ensure graffiti was removed quickly.

Youth offenders who had been responsible for writing the graffiti were given the task of removing it themselves.

The constable also worked with local schools to educate young people on the consequences of tagging.

This initiative reduced tagging in the area and made the suburb appear safer.