Community policing in the United States has evolved from the British policing experience. Compared to that of the United States, community policing in China has a longer history. Both countries have implemented community policing to deal with high crime rates and to increase police visibility. In addition, both countries have attempted to change the police image to be more positive and create public trust and confidence. Improving the quality of community life, team policing, building partnerships with citizens, and problem-oriented policing are other elements of police reform shared by the two countries. The United States and China have differences in community policing practices, however, that are classified as techno-operational, philosophical, and sociocultural. The most significant difference between community policing in the two countries involves the sociocultural dimension. The universal nature of police reform in the United States and China involves the integration of informal social control into formal social control and obstacles that limit police potential to initiate social change. Theoretical and practical implications of community policing developments in both countries are examined. 41 references and 2 tables