Representing the Community in Community Policing.

Perhaps the most common "alternative" form of public involvement in the governance of American communities is the various institutional structures created as part of community policing programs. So popular is the concept that no mayor or chief wants to be without some effort they can point to that promises to engage the public in policing. Two of the many questions this raises are: who is "the community" that is represented, and how well are they represented?There are many reasons to be skeptical that community collaboration with the police is a feasible process goal. Cities can be deeply divided by race and class, and an influx of new immigrants further complicates the cultural mosaic of many communities. The groups that represent residents of high-crime neighborhoods may be more interested in challenging police practices that promoting collaboration. Better-educated and more cosmopolitan residents might come to dominate discussions with the police, and their interests could be better represented.This paper examines the representation goals of community policing in Chicago. In Chicago's program, beat meetings are the vehicle for grass-roots consultation and collaboration between police and the community. At the meetings the two sides are to come together to identify local priorities, discuss how both police and residents can best address them, and review their progress in doing so. The paper addresses the twin issues of who is represented and how well their interests are represented. The analysis is based on data collected in systematic observations of beat meetings and surveys of the residents and police who attend. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]