The Reinvention of Policing

Contemporary policing is in crisis, a situation that has led to persistent calls to reform it. Unfortunately, many proposed solutions focus on piecemeal changes that ignore a fundamental problem—policing relies on a largely reactive approach that does not in any systematic or comprehensive way focus on crime prevention. Most of what the police do, such as responding to 911 calls for service and employing directed patrols or hot spots policing, fails to address the causes of crime. Compounding this problem is the absence of any institution or agency charged with prioritizing the prevention of crime and for ensuring that police efforts support this goal.

Kelly and Mears argue that a better strategy exists, one that places responsibility on the police and other governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations for truly preventing crime. Why, historically, did crime prevention not take hold and infuse policing? One reason is a design flaw—the vision of policing centered too much on surveillance and too little on efforts that target the diverse causes of crime. The end result? Contemporary policing lacks any institutionalized commitment or systematic approach to crime prevention. It is designed to fail.

The Reinvention of Policing diagnoses this problem, along with many others, in

American policing. Then the authors turn to solutions. First, they call for a great many reforms to existing practices. Second, they call for a reinvention of the design and focus of policing and, concomitantly, the way that states, cities, and towns approach public safety. This change presents special challenges, but it is the only way to create an appreciable impact in reducing crime and improving justice.