Define the term 'community policing'.

Community policing is defined as a strategy that emphasizes building and nurturing relationships between police officers and the communities they serve. This approach focuses on collaboration and engagement, where law enforcement works alongside community members to identify and solve problems related to public safety, rather than simply enforcing laws and responding to incidents. Community policing encourages officers to become familiar with the neighborhoods and the people in them, fostering trust and communication which can lead to a more cooperative and proactive approach to crime prevention and resolution.

Effective community policing often incorporates community feedback and involvement, prioritizing the needs and concerns of residents. By fostering these relationships, police can identify underlying issues contributing to crime and work with community members to address them, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of life and safety within the community. This strategy contrasts sharply with solely focusing on metrics like crime statistics, as it acknowledges the importance of community input and engagement in shaping policing efforts.