Which of the following is NOT an element of community policing?

• A. Proactive approach (anticipate demands for service)
• B. Accountability to the community
• C. Centralized policing with no community input
• D. Problem oriented policing strategy

Answer: (C)

Community policing centers on proactive, collaborative, and problem-solving work that builds trust and partnership with the people it serves. It emphasizes anticipating issues before they escalate, being accountable to the community, and using structured problem-solving approaches to address underlying causes of crime and disorder.

Proactive engagement fits because officers look ahead, identify potential hotspots or demands, and take steps to prevent problems rather than just reacting after they occur. Accountability to the community matters because legitimacy and trust come from residents seeing that police respond to their concerns and value their input. Problem-oriented policing is a key method within community policing, focusing on diagnosing underlying factors of problems and applying targeted, sustainable solutions.

The idea of centralized policing with no community input stands in direct contrast to these principles. It implies a top-down, reactive approach with little or no collaboration or input from residents, which is not how community policing operates.

So the statement describing centralized policing with no community input is not an element of community policing; the other options align with its collaborative, proactive, and problem-solving focus.