How to do problem solving - The four step process

In today's society we all use some type of problem solving to work through issues and come up with a solution. Whether you are buying a car, decorating a room or planning a trip, you will research, analyze and develop a way to reach your goal. You will end up with a list of possible “strategies” or suggestions to assist you in making that final decision.

Similarly, in community policing, some form of problem solving is the method that most police and communities use to address their issues and/or problems. We all need a common road to follow.

The following chart is explained in the Community Policing Guidelines Manual:

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

LIST the perceptions, symptoms

IDENTIFY perceived problem(s)

( but WHY)

ANALYSIS

EXAMINE the problem(s) - (5 Ws)

WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY

CONSIDER INFORMATION ON:

• the victim
• the offender
• the situation

DETERMINE:

• Impact
• Seriousness
• Complexity
• Solvability

PRIORITIZE the problems

IDENTIFY your problem and goal

• Eliminate
• Reduce
• Reduce harm or impact

Redefine responsibility

RESPONSE

IDENTIFY strategies - e.g.:

• Enforcement
• Policy/Laws
• Visibility
• Info/Education
• Interagency/Stakeholder
• Crime Prevention
• Mediation
• Environmental Design
• Social Development

ASSESS & SELECT strategies

DEVELOP & IMPLEMENT action plans

• Strategies
• Tasks for each strategy
• Strategy evaluation
  • completion
  • results

EVALUATION

CONDUCT plan evaluation

ANALYZE plan results

DOCUMENT & SHARE

“best strategies”