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Abstract
Between 1980 and the mid-1990s, the number of specialized gang units in American law enforcement agencies appeared to increase substantially. The rise in specialized gang units coincided with the widespread adoption of community policing. In many ways, the increased number of gang units appeared inherently in conflict with the move to community- and problem-oriented policing, since the latter emphasizes decentralization and despecialization. This research examined whether community policing and specialized gang units are complementary or conflicting approaches, either in principle or practice. The results suggest that gang units can have an important role in modern policing. There is little evidence that specialized gang units conflict with community policing in principle or practice. The use of discriminate strategies and strategic approaches to gangs in cities appears to reflect the influence of community and problem-oriented policing.
Between 1980 and the mid-1990s, the number of specialized gang units in American law enforcement agencies appeared to increase substantially. The period was marked by an increase in the number of gangs, gang members and violent crime in many jurisdictions across the nation. The rise of specialized gang units coincided with the adoption of community policing. In many ways, the increased number of gang units appeared inherently in conflict with the move to community- and problem-oriented policing, since the latter emphasizes decentralization and despecialization within law enforcement agencies. The extent to which specialized units are necessary in police agencies has been widely debated for more than a century. Since at least the 1950s, police leaders have been cautioned about creating specialized units as this organizational configuration increases the complexity of coordinating various police functions. At the same time, specialization is often necessary in large organizations and when specific problems...