Which policing approach primarily reacts to crimes after they are reported?

The concept of this policing approach is grounded in responding to incidents after they occur, as opposed to taking preventive measures before crimes happen. Reactive policing focuses on responding to calls for service, investigations, and addressing crimes once they have been reported by victims or witnesses. This approach aims to enforce the law and solve crimes, primarily by deploying resources to address specific incidents as they arise.

In contrast, proactive policing initiatives aim to prevent crimes before they happen by increasing visibility, engaging with communities, and utilizing data-driven strategies to anticipate criminal behavior. Community policing emphasizes building relationships between law enforcement and community members to collaboratively work on crime prevention. Strategic policing often involves the application of specialized strategies to address organized crime or high-violence areas, but it can still incorporate proactive elements.

The essence of reactive policing lies in its immediate response and involvement in crime-solving after a crime has taken place, which is why it is recognized as the primary approach that reacts to crimes post-reporting.