The adoption of police innovation: the role of the political environment

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the role of the political environment in the implementation of community policing, using a model informed by the innovations perspective in addition to the criminal justice literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Using archival data, this paper draws a national sample of 428 police jurisdictions. Multivariate models are estimated to determine the influence of reform governments as indicated by city managers, non‐partisan and at‐large elections, on community policing.

Findings

This paper finds evidence to suggest that reform governments have a limited but significant influence on the adoption of community policing. Form of government and the type of municipal elections do directly influence community policing. Results demonstrate that the innovations literature does explain some variation in community policing adoption across municipalities.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the study should have implications for understanding the extent to which police strategies are implemented in jurisdictions of varying size and demographics. Further research about the adoption of police innovation should be informed by both the criminal justice and the innovations literature.

Originality/value

This paper has value for academics and practitioners interested in the relationship between municipal government and police activities and policies.

Citation

Schaefer Morabito, M. (2008), "The adoption of police innovation: the role of the political environment", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 31 No. 3, pp. 466-484. https://doi.org/10.1108/13639510810895812