Because stalking involves repetitive and persistent harassment of victims that may escalate into violence, victim safety and prevention are paramount. In responding to stalking, the focus of the police should be early intervention, preventive actions, and proactive problem solving. These are also the hallmarks of community policing. A key component of a community-oriented approach is implementation of a protocol or written policy directive that specifies and details appropriate responses by police officers in stalking cases. Following a review of current promising practices, the National Center for Victims of Crime developed a model stalking protocol to promote more effective antistalking policies by police departments across the Nation. The model was subsequently adapted and field-tested by the Philadelphia Police Department with assistance from the National Center. The introductory chapter summarizes the project, and the second chapter explains the nature of stalking, including prevalent types of stalking behavior. The third chapter explains why stalking is so difficult to identify and investigate, as well as why conventional reactive policing techniques are inadequate in responding to the needs of stalking victims. The rationale for the adoption of a community-oriented policing approach is discussed. The fourth chapter presents the model protocol, followed by a chapter that describes the process of adapting and implementing the protocol in Philadelphia. Appended summary of the evaluation of the Philadelphia project, conclusions and recommendations, and summaries of current promising practices