What is coactive policing?

Coactive policing refers to a collaborative approach to law enforcement that emphasizes partnership and cooperation between police agencies and the community. This method involves various entities, including local organizations, residents, and governmental bodies, working together to identify and solve community issues related to crime and safety. By fostering strong relationships among these groups, coactive policing enhances trust, promotes shared responsibility for community well-being, and leads to more effective crime prevention and resolution strategies.

This approach contrasts sharply with methods that prioritize solitary law enforcement or exclude community involvement. Traditional policing models often involve law enforcement acting independently of the community, which can result in a lack of understanding of local issues and diminished trust between police and residents. Coactive policing seeks to integrate community input and collaboration as fundamental components of police work, thereby creating a more holistic and responsive law enforcement strategy.