Which term refers to a policing strategy that focuses on identifying and solving underlying problems that contribute to crime and quality-of-life issues?

• A. Community policing
• B. Reactive policing
• C. Problem-oriented policing
• D. Random policing

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is solving the root causes of crime and quality-of-life problems, not just responding to incidents. The best term for this approach is problem-oriented policing. It centers on identifying specific problems in a place, understanding why they occur, and designing targeted interventions to reduce or eliminate those issues. A common way to structure this work is the SARA framework—Scanning to spot problems, Analysis to understand underlying causes, Response to implement fixes, and Assessment to measure results. This distinguishes it from reactive policing, which only reacts after crimes happen, and from community policing, which emphasizes building partnerships with residents to prevent crime in a broader, collaborative way. Random policing isn’t a recognized strategy and lacks a deliberate, evidence-based focus.