Community policing (CP) has an enduring appeal, but there are many constructions of its meaning, each informed by different philosophical underpinnings. The article examines approaches to CP in which the police are close to the public, know their concerns from regular contacts, and act on them in accord with the community's wishes. It assesses the prospects of such approaches, drawing on research
... [Show full abstract] evaluating programmes designed in line with such principles and on a conceptualisation of contemporary community life. The assessment is used to outline an approach for theorising CP and for systematically analysing the effects of CP programmes and interventions.