Evaluation of police service service delivery in the southern Gold Coast area

Project examines how residential and business sectors of the community in the southern Gold Coast perceive the police service provided to them and records the level of satisfaction with that service. The history of policing is also discussed, from the early convict days to the methods employed by the Queensland Police Service.. This study explores how the residential and business sectors of the community in the southern Gold Coast area perceive the police service provided to them. The study also records the community level of satisfaction with that service. To provide a .context for theses community outcomes, contemporary policing issues in Australia are discussed, in particular how policing has developed from the early convict days to the current methods used by the Queensland Police Service to deliver its service. This study discusses such issues in policing as technology and the current concepts underlying police response times and police numbers and the impact this has on crime and community satisfaction levels. International concepts in crime prevention and community policing are explored and are highlighted by examples of community policing case studies conducted by the Queensland Police Service. Various studies relating to crime prevention are reviewed and the community fear of crime is discussed. Of particular interest is the expansion and theoretical considerations of situational crime prevention as relates to routine crime prevention activity and the role of guardians. The role of police as guardians for break and enter crime is of particular interest. The study concludes that a police response in this role is inadequate and alternative strategies must be implemented. Alternative strategies of guardianship could find the police implementing activities that empower the community with knowledge and resources to perform the role of guardians against break and enter crime themselves.