Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to present a set of model action plans to follow for the community members and organizations who seek to implement a community-driven policing project in a multiethnic urban setting. Methodology. This was an ethnographical study with multiple sources of evidence for data. Four issues--community policing, resistance to change, private funding, and cultural diversity--were used as building blocks for the research. Eighteen research questions in the categories of descriptive, normative, correlative, and impact were asked to provide sufficient focus and coverage on the issues. The methodology of ethnography was selected to study the project in progress in its natural setting with no artificial control. Findings. Even though there is no "one size fits all" approach to community policing, its success depends on how well the community carries out its role. The focus of community-policing implementation needs to be shifted away from the police to the community itself. Resistance to change is a natural part of any change process, and it needs to be looked upon as a source of improved ideas for the decision-making process. Private funding of community-policing projects is likely to increase in frequency and magnitude and requires a set of policies and built-in safeguards. Managing cultural diversity is an essential part of improving organizational readiness and effectiveness. If ignored, cultural diversity can become a source of conflict and resistance. Recommendations. To implement a community-driven, community-policing project successfully, it is imperative to identify the involved issues and conduct a series of thorough assessment studies. Based on where the community organization is at present and where it intends to be in the future, proper action plan models can be selected and followed to ensure full coverage of relevant issues. Making the commitment to structured implementation of a community-policing project will maximize its success ratio.