Community policing is described as a necessary partnership between the community and the police to ensure the justice system operates effectively in maintaining community standards of behavior. Four basic elements distinguish community policing from other forms of police and/or community endeavors: community-based crime prevention, proactive service as opposed to emergency response, shifting of command responsibility to lower rank levels, and public participation in the planning and supervision of police operations. In the Queensland Police Service, decisionmaking responsibility and discretionary power extend to the rank and file officer. Community policing, however, changes the responsibilities of all police ranks. Subordinate ranks become more self-directing, while senior ranks are to encourage disciplined initiative and develop coherent plans responsive to local conditions. Queensland has a Neighborhood Watch program and other crime prevention programs to attract resident participation. Community crime prevention requires an appropriate balance between public and private responsibility. The history of community policing and the debate over whether community policing is a primary policing strategy rather than a strategy rather than a separate adjunct to traditional policing are examined. 25 references.