The way an organization understands the history of police-community relations and the concepts of "community" and "community policing" largely dictate community policing outcomes. Given the diversity of communities in Australia, police managers are likely to require adherence to policies that suit the broader community rather than allowing the police to address the specific needs of local communities. Therefore, an approach is needed that incorporates local communities at the decisionmaking level of the policing process. Policing in Australia is relatively centralized, but community-based policing requires local control over police policies and practices. The successful introduction of accountability and control at the local level requires a reasonably homogeneous community. Command problems may ensue if police officers accustomed to values and directions established at the central level refuse to take directions from local community officials. In community policing, the process by which police policies and practices are developed requires significant input from both the police and community members. It is concluded that the concept of community policing in Australia is presently limited to police consultations with the community in order to set their own priorities in relation to issues of concern to community members. 16 references