IMPACT OF COMMUNITY POLICING ON POLICE PERSONNEL - A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL TEST

An evaluation was conducted to estimate the effects of a well-funded c ommunity policing demonstration program in Joliet, Illinois. Using a n onequivalent pretest-posttest control group design, changes in officer s' perceptions and behaviors were examined over a 2-year period, durin g which time they were exposed to new training programs, organizationa l restructuring, and problem-solving activities. The results showed fe w changes in officers' perceptions of management practices or job sati sfaction, but documented positive gains in attitudes and knowledge abo ut community policing and some street-level behaviors. Alternative exp lanations for the results are discussed.