If law enforcement is viewed as the main police role, then the police must be organized, equipped, and given the powers to do this effectively and efficiently. If the primary police role is seen to be preventing crime, community involvement and cooperation in policing will be necessary. This will raise questions about community involvement in monitoring and controlling police activities. A growing police role -- helping and referral -- may aid preventive policing, although it could hinder law enforcement. Over the last two decades, the organization and nature of routine policing has shifted greatly, with centralization increasing and the number of agencies dropping. Nevertheless, it has been impossible to maintain a policy of preventive policing. A reactive policing style was typical of the 1970's. Complaints about the police and their lack of public accountability have grown in recent years. The procedure for dealing with complaints has also received much criticism, primarily because the police themselves investigate the complaints. The accountability issue has also been prominent, even though arrangements for securing this accountability are not likely to change soon. Public confidence in the police would be served by developing clear police policies; precise, minimum coercive police powers; real opportunities for community consultation with the police; and independent investigation and prosecution of complaints against the police. Eighty-one references are listed.