Approaches to Policing
The Police Function: JUS 320
Reactive, Proactive, and Coactive Approach
Reactive policing is a process used when there is a crime that has occurred or is in the
process of occurring and how law enforcement responds to it. An example of reactive policing is
an individual driving and getting into a car accident. Since the accident has already occurred, an
officer would have to respond after the incident has happened. In this case, reactive policing
gives police the advantage of being able to respond to the situation and for the state of mind of
the individual’s involved. Such as, the need for medical assistance, arresting any troublemakers
and to keep the peace between the individuals involved to prevent any further escalation should
it occur. One disadvantage to this is: if escalation happens during the accident and the officer has
no backup, it may create a situation where the officer could become endangered to unforeseen
circumstances.
, Proactive policing is the act of preventing crimes by tying together a strategy plan that
can stop an individual from committing a crime or escalating one that is already in motion. This
method is executed by having both law enforcement and civilians cooperating together to lower
crime rates.. For example, after there have been shootings, law enforcement seeks to devise a
strategy whereby the shooting stops and the shooter is held accountable; there is the capability
for community members and law enforcement to work together to ensure that such crimes do not
rise again. An upside to this method is that both civilians and law enforcement work together to
become one, creating a unification in understanding and lowering the negative stigma that law
enforcement currently holds.
Coactive policing refers to law enforcement to be able to co-act within the community
and subsequently takes into perspective the conditions undermining safety. The agencies must
ensure that they line up a few things needed to communicate clearly and coordinate using their
The Police Function: JUS 320
Reactive, Proactive, and Coactive Approach
Reactive policing is a process used when there is a crime that has occurred or is in the
process of occurring and how law enforcement responds to it. An example of reactive policing is
an individual driving and getting into a car accident. Since the accident has already occurred, an
officer would have to respond after the incident has happened. In this case, reactive policing
gives police the advantage of being able to respond to the situation and for the state of mind of
the individual’s involved. Such as, the need for medical assistance, arresting any troublemakers
and to keep the peace between the individuals involved to prevent any further escalation should
it occur. One disadvantage to this is: if escalation happens during the accident and the officer has
no backup, it may create a situation where the officer could become endangered to unforeseen
circumstances.
, Proactive policing is the act of preventing crimes by tying together a strategy plan that
can stop an individual from committing a crime or escalating one that is already in motion. This
method is executed by having both law enforcement and civilians cooperating together to lower
crime rates.. For example, after there have been shootings, law enforcement seeks to devise a
strategy whereby the shooting stops and the shooter is held accountable; there is the capability
for community members and law enforcement to work together to ensure that such crimes do not
rise again. An upside to this method is that both civilians and law enforcement work together to
become one, creating a unification in understanding and lowering the negative stigma that law
enforcement currently holds.
Coactive policing refers to law enforcement to be able to co-act within the community
and subsequently takes into perspective the conditions undermining safety. The agencies must
ensure that they line up a few things needed to communicate clearly and coordinate using their
