Dispute resolution philosophies and strategies are first reviewed to provide the reader with a context in which to consider innovative policing approaches. After examining various types of dispute resolution, the authors conclude that the potential for preventing problems, reducing risk of escalation, and averting violence makes dispute-resolution methods well suited for community-oriented policing and problemsolving. Community dispute resolution centers can help police and communities engage in cooperative problemsolving efforts. Community dispute resolution centers is a generic name for a variety of community-based dispute resolution programs that operate at more than 400 locations nationwide. Police may refer disputing parties to mediation programs or encourage them to seek mediation services themselves. Police collaboration with dispute resolution professionals may vary by area, depending on the availability of mediators, the existence of dispute resolution centers, and the history of working relationships between the police and other service agencies. Police must be properly trained to determine which situations qualify for dispute resolution and which ones warrant traditional police responses. When parties refuse to discuss the situation or it is highly unstable or volatile, arrest, citation, referral to other social service providers, or civil litigation may be the more appropriate response. 16 references