Assignment 2: Implementing Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is widely used as a formalized method of addressing community problems. Police agencies around the world have adopted the SARA problem-solving model or similar models.

The success of problem-solving, like any attempt to address a community issue or concern, falls upon the individuals responsible for solving the problem. As a police officer or as a member of the community, you can use the problem-solving method as a valuable tool.

This assignment will provide you with an opportunity to analyze a real problem to which the problem-solving method was applied.

Tasks:

Visit the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing website (the link is provided in the Webliography) and search for an actual problem solved in a community. Complete the attached questionnaire(attached in Page 2).

In the questionnaire, respond to the following for each component:

·  Identify the actual responses that the agency performed during the problem-solving process.

·  Evaluate the actual response on the basis of what you have learned about problem-solving and suggest any improvements the agency could have considered in any area of the problem-solving process.

Note: Use proper APA formatted in-text citations. Include a separate page at the end of the questionnaire, in APA format style that links back to your in-text citations and supports your recommendations.                                                              `1

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THE QUESTIONNAIRE:

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Instructions:

Please select a problem that you find interesting from http://www.popcenter.org/casestudies/. Thoroughly read the document describing the problem and the response. In the spaces provided, write an overview of the problem and the specific response.

Evaluate the actual response on the basis of what you have learned about problem-solving and suggest any improvements the agency could have considered in any area of the problem-solving process. For example, does it appear the SARA problem-solving model was used appropriately? Does the data support the response? Are there alternative responses that could be considered? Do you believe the problem was solved, or do you believe the assessment was inadequate?

Questionnaire:

1.     Overview of the Problem:

2.     Response (How the Agency Addressed the Problem):

3.     Assessment (Overall Results of the Response):

Evaluate the actual response on the basis of what you have learned about problem-solving and suggest any improvements the agency could have considered in any area of the problem-solving process: