Which policing approach emphasizes developing skills, procedures, and research techniques to analyze and solve crime and disorder problems?

• A. Community policing
• B. Traditional policing
• C. Problem-oriented policing
• D. Strategic policing

Answer: (C)

Problem-oriented policing centers on treating crime and disorder as problems to be understood and solved, not just incidents to be responded to. It emphasizes developing the skills, procedures, and research methods needed to analyze the underlying causes of a problem, study patterns, and test targeted, evidence-based interventions. Frameworks like the SARA model—Scanning, Analysis, Response, Assessment—illustrate how officers collect data, analyze contributing factors, implement specific solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness. This focus on systematic analysis and research-driven solutions is why it best fits the description. The other approaches emphasize different priorities: community policing highlights building partnerships and preventive work, traditional policing centers on reacting to incidents and patrol, and strategic policing concentrates on long-term organizational planning and resource allocation, rather than the explicit analysis-and-solve emphasis of problem-oriented policing.