2008/01/16 by David H. Bayley · 2 citations
Social Sciences · #Crime Patterns and Interventions #Crime, Illicit Activities, and Governance #Policing Practices and Perceptions
paper · doi:10.1080/10439460701718518
openalex publication_date 2008/01/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
This paper examines nine innovations in American policing since the report of the President's Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice (1967) - community-oriented policing, problem-oriented policing, signs-of-crime policing, hot-spots policing, mandatory arrest for spouse assault, enhancement of internal discipline, external oversight, COMPSTAT, and increased diversity of personnel. These innovations occurred from the top-down within policing and were not the product of collaboration with the rank-and-file. In all but two cases, innovations were not instigated by the police themselves but were formulated by people outside the police and brought to the police for adoption. I conclude that innovation occurred because of a system of collaboration between police and civil society that is unique in the world and was itself instigated by far-sighted police leaders.