Assessing the Relationship Between Police-Community Coproduction and Neighborhood-Level Social Capital

Abstract

Some have argued that community policing represents a reform that is capable of increasing neighborhood social capital. Collaborative relationships between police and communities are expected to enhance the capacity of residents to collectively ameliorate neighborhood conditions. This study examines the relationship between police-community coproduction and neighborhood-level social capital using data from a survey of neighborhood leaders. Results provide partial support for the claim that community policing is related to social capital. More specifically, collective social capacity was shown to be higher in neighborhoods where residents perceive the police to be more accessible. Future considerations for the study of community policing and social capital are discussed.

Policing community problems: Exploring the role of formal social control in shaping collective efficacy

“…For example, Pattavina and colleagues (2005) find policecommunity relationships are important to resident's involvement in crime prevention activities. Scott (2002) finds increased accessibility of the police is positively related to community social capital. Similarly, Lombardo and colleagues (2010) infer a positive relationship between community policing strategies and informal social control (but do not explicitly test this) and, somewhat surprisingly, finds police attendance at community meetings is negatively related to informal social control.…”

“…Certain community, problem-oriented and partnership-based policing strategies are expected to increase CE by encouraging community 'self-help' and increasing access to police resources (Velez, 2001: 518; see also Slocum et al, 2010). Specifically, strategies that are place-based and which promote police-community problem-solving and build relationships with the community, are anticipated to encourage CE Scott, 2002). In contrast, some traditional policing strategies may constrain CE.…”

“…The third research proposition to emerge from the literature suggests that different types of policing strategies may either promote or constrain CE Scott, 2002). Certain community, problem-oriented and partnership-based policing strategies are expected to increase CE by encouraging community 'self-help' and increasing access to police resources (Velez, 2001: 518; see also Slocum et al, 2010).…”

“…Scholars propose that community policing strategies designed to build relationships between police and community residents and encourage community 'self-help' are likely to have a positive influence on CE (Velez, 2001: 518; see also Scott, 2002). When community residents feel that they 'get to know' police in their community, and establish channels of communication with police, it is expected that residents will feel more confident to intervene in community problems Scott, 2002;Velez, 2001).…”

“…Mazerolle and Ransley, 2006;Skogan and Hartnett, 1997;Weisburd and Eck, 2004). Some scholars argue that when police use these place-focused, partnership-oriented interventions to facilitate and encourage collective efficacy (CE), such efforts may lead to less crime Scott, 2002). Others suggest police effectiveness is important to CE (Kubrin and Weitzer, 2003;Silver and Miller, 2004), whereas Kochel (2012: 389) argues legitimacy is key, and that when police are perceived as illegitimate they weaken the '…foundation on which neighborhoods can build consensus about the appropriate behaviors to expect in the neighborhood' (see also LaFree, 1998;Sun et al, 2004).…”