In this section we explore how policing and crime prevention can be made more effective by using community engagement principles. Those principles include: grassroots citizen action; collaboration between actors; clear visions and goals; and public decision-making.

Our original intent with this research was to educate ourselves about how others were putting these principles to work in the real world, but the examples we found were too good to keep to ourselves. By sharing these resources, how-to guides, and inspiring stories, we hope to encourage others to put these principles to work in their own communities.

Not all the resources we’ve included discuss “community engagement” explicitly, but we feel these are interesting and useful examples. If you know of a helpful resource or a great story we should include, please let us know—we’re always looking to revise and improve this guide. We hope this guide is a helpful start for anyone interested in engaging their communities around policing and crime prevention.

We suggest you take a look at the two introductory resources below, which will give you a good grasp of the subject; enjoy exploring these resources, and if you know of something that we could include here in future revisions, please email us at tamarack@tamarackcommunity.ca .

Policing and Crime Prevention: Signature Documents

Crime Prevention Through Social Development - This literature review from The John Howard Society is an introduction to crime prevention through social development, or CPSD. By working on the risk factors that lead to crime, such as poverty, inadequate housing and schooling, mental or physical health problems, addiction, and others, CPSD programs can reduce crime before it starts. The National Crime Prevention Strategy also has an excellent online library of resources on community policing and crime prevention.

Community Policing, Community Justice, Restorative Justice - This report from the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services is an excellent introduction to the field of community policing and crime prevention. It covers the basics of community policing, especially the value of collaboration between police and other community organizations; but it also looks at the entire concept of community justice, from prevention to alternative sentencing and restorative justice.

Useful Definitions

Community Engagement - People working collaboratively, through inspired action and learning, to create and realize bold visions for their common future.

Crime Prevention - The process of reducing crime by reducing its causes—poverty, poor education, political disenfranchisement and social isolation—through community engagement techniques.

Community Policing - Sometimes referred to as “contemporary policing,” it builds more resilient links between the police and community actors such as social service agencies, community organizations, businesses, and faith groups, resulting in more flexible and responsive policing.

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