The emerging communications technologies--including digital wireless networks, personal communications devices, and client-server computer applications--may be commonplace by the turn of the century. They have the potential to impact social interactions on the magnitude of the mass production of the automobile or the invention of the electric light bulb. As these technologies are developing, communities across the Nation are choosing to implement community-oriented policing methods. Personal communications systems and devices could be used effectively in a community-policing environment to establish effective lines of communication between police and the community and offer the hope of making the concept of community and employee empowerment a reality. Officers will have improved access in a mobile environment to a variety of databases necessary for an effective community-oriented, problemsolving approach. The community will also have access and input to the police and government institutions as never before. Trends and events are identified and forecasted; model strategic and implementation plans are presented; and a transition management plan for directing the proposed change is recommended. 9 tables, 3 figures, 13 references, and a 69-item bibliography