Re-engineering Police and Community Relations

This book suggest that the criminal justice system replace or supplement the current deterrent model with a system thinking framework to address external conditions that influence criminal behavior. The rational for this change is that more often than not, our focus has been on the flaws of the individual rather than the flaws in the system. System thinking examines the police community relationship chemistry to better understand what works and what doesn't work. The author suggest internal police reform strategies ultimately fail due to a coherent effort to address external social conditions that impact crime. As an alternative to the deterrent model, a system thinking model is advocated which synthesizes both the internal and external variables that impact crime. Finally, the author offers trust building strategies as a form of self-efficacy for both police and community members to enhance cultural views and improve their relationships. Through trust building, police and citizens can co-produced what "best practices" are most effective in their communities.