Police training must focus more on relevant issues such as conflict resolution and quality of life rather than on mechanical and technical aspects of policing, particularly because research on police activities indicates that police officers spend only 10 percent of their time on criminal-related matters and the remaining 90 percent on a variety of service-related calls. Moreover, the evolving police role includes working with the community to solve the root causes of crime, and police officers frequently engage in proactive problem-solving and crime prevention activities in neighborhoods where they patrol. Because of the increased contact police officers have with citizens, they must receive training in such areas as interpersonal skills, ethnic diversity, drug and alcohol awareness, and domestic violence. In terms of instructional methods, most police academies conduct training using a lecture format. Because this structured approach does not encourage effective learning or support the community policing mission, police training must highlight self-directed learning to foster the community policing culture. Police trainers must emphasize self-directed and problem-centered learning in order to bring adequately prepared police recruits into the 21st century of policing. 11 endnotes and 2 photographs