Which feature best describes Team Policing?

• A. Centralized command
• B. Increased community participation
• C. Emphasis on response times
• D. Strict hierarchical control

Answer: (B)

Team Policing is built around forming close, ongoing partnerships with the people in the neighborhoods it serves. The best feature is increased community participation: officers work with residents to identify local problems, brainstorm and implement solutions, and continuously evaluate what’s working. This collaborative approach helps tailor policing to the specific needs of a community, builds trust and legitimacy, and focuses on preventing problems before they escalate.

Centralized command describes a top-down structure, which contrasts with the more decentralized, team-based nature of Team Policing. Emphasizing how quickly officers respond to calls is about efficiency in responding to incidents, not the core shift toward community engagement. A strict hierarchical control mindset also fits traditional models rather than the collaborative ethos of Team Policing.