Community‐oriented policing in Germany: Training and education

Presents data from two surveys and arguments in favour of a restructuring of the police service, in general, and police training in particular. Contends that to keep up with an ever‐changing world, the police has to become more versatile itself, without losing sight of its core functions: protection and security provision. These objectives can only be achieved by a police force that cooperates intensively with the people, i.e. relies on a community‐oriented approach to policing, and one whose members have been provided throughout their training with problem‐solving skills and techniques and have developed a high degree of self‐motivation. Suggests that in the current social and economic climate there is an urgent need for such reforms, best achieved through international cooperation.