This research forecasted the outmoded nature of arrest-based policing and strictly adversarial relations between police and community, both built on the criminal-trial model of justice.

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Citizen review boards (CRBs) use community leaders as a legitimate oversight mechanism for police complaints. But because they act as criminal courts that do not have binding power, CRBs are largely resisted by police.

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Meanwhile, the "community policing" strategy attempts to build close relationships between police and citizen. The problem with this strategy is officers continue to be evaluated for promotion based on arrest numbers.

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The police-community partnership proposes that CRBs channel the voice of the community in commending community-friendly officers and that police departments use this input in promoting officers. Through this approach, CRBs would punish the bad cops by promoting the good cops.

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To learn more, email nate@outsideinnovation.org.