In community policing, what should police prioritize to most effectively address crime and quality-of-life issues?

• A. Increase arrest rates in high-crime areas.
• B. Prioritize activities and help solve community problems.
• C. Limit officer discretion to reduce risk.
• D. Focus solely on responding to calls for service.

Answer: (B)

Community policing is about working with the community to reduce problems, not just enforcing laws. When officers prioritize activities that help solve community problems, they collaborate with residents, businesses, and other agencies to identify the root causes of recurring issues and implement preventive, coordinated strategies. Using structured problem-solving approaches helps target solutions that address underlying factors—such as crime, disorder, or quality-of-life concerns—leading to safer, more trusted neighborhoods over time. This proactive, collaborative focus tends to improve both crime outcomes and residents’ sense of safety and legitimacy, which is why it’s emphasized over simply increasing arrests, restricting discretion, or only reacting to calls for service.