The author moves beyond media coverage of and political influences on crime by critically examining 25 years of change and leadership at the NYPD. This insightful linking of the past with the present clearly reveals that the crime control process is the result of a longitudinal process of organizational change and leadership direction. The author describes how change is developed within an organization and how it shapes crime control policies and performance. He also details the many constituent elements (theoretical, managerial, strategic, and tactical) of the NYPD's transformation and traces the historical roots of these changes. The future of effective policing strategies in New York City is examined, with emphasis on intelligence-led policing, strategic information, police-community relations, and police reform. An appendix contains NYPD strategy documents. Notes and figures