Chicago Alternative Policing Strategies
Katie Miller
August 3, 2015
AJS/504
Donald Savell
University of Phoenix
CAPS
Community policing is a collaborated effort between the police, community agencies and the people living in the community to identify and solve community problems. Throughout the past decade, community policing has become a widespread strategy to help law enforcement control and deter crime. The following paper will examine one such program. This paper will explore the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategies, otherwise known as CAPS. The author will discuss how this particular program was started and will briefly explain some of the key elements of CAPS. It is the author’s objective that this paper will give you a better understanding of community policing in general and of CAPS, which some claim is an exceptional model of community policing.
Beginning in April 1992, Police Superintendent Matt L. Rodriguez enhanced a strategy of community policing specific to Chicago known as CAPS. The “Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy” or CAPS was initiated to identify and address emerging and chronic crime and disorder problems by holding regular weekly meetings which included police officers and community residents. The CAPS model promotes team work at all levels, bringing together all levels of law enforcement as well as other city service agencies and the communities being served. Input from beat, district, and area levels are utilized in problem solving and planning sessions. Time management techniques will be implemented to support problem solving. Impartial enforcement of the law will be essential. CAPS identifies and solves neighborhood crime problems, rather than simply reacting to their symptoms after the fact. The CAPS program has been recognized as one of the most ambitious community policing initiatives in the United States. It has been cited as a model program by many national...