Which policing strategy emphasizes responding to crimes after they occur?

The focus of reactive policing is on responding to crimes after they have taken place. This strategy prioritizes engaging with incidents that have already occurred, often relying on reports from victims or witnesses, and then investigating those crimes to apprehend offenders. The fundamental characteristic of reactive policing is its emphasis on responding to situations rather than preventing them from happening in the first place.

In contrast, proactive policing seeks to prevent crime before it happens by anticipating criminal behavior and implementing strategies to deter it. Community policing emphasizes building relationships and partnerships with the community to address the root causes of crime and social disorder, fostering collaboration between police and citizens. Preventive policing strives to put measures in place to halt crime before it occurs, focusing on strategies like crime prevention initiatives and visible patrols. Thus, the essence of reactive policing is its approach to crime response rather than crime prevention.