IT in Support of Community Policing
James Chu · 2001
Up until the 1980s, the “professional policing model” was the dominant approach to delivering police services. This involved a focus, if not a preoccupation, on responding to the ever-increasing number of 911 calls for service. The prevailing operational philosophy was for the police to act as detached professionals who would deter criminals through: • Random patrols • The associated capability of rapid response to calls for service achieved through technology tools such as 911, CAD, and mobile radio systems Inherent problems with the professional policing model became apparent as higher workloads and crime rates overwhelmed the police — especially larger agencies — which drowned in the sea of 911 calls.