AFTER A THEORETICAL OVERVIEW OF THE NATURE OF POLICING AND THE ROLE OF SOCIAL ACTION IN A POLICE AGENCY'S OPERATIONS, THE EFFORTS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE ARE TRACED BACK TO THE DAYS WHEN THEY WERE THE ONLY SOCIAL AGENCY FOR MANY CANADIAN COMMUNITIES. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT TODAY THE POLICE ARE OFTEN THE ONLY SOCIAL AGENTS AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, AND AS SUCH, HAVE MANY DUTIES BEYOND THAT OF TRADITIONAL CRIME PREVENTION. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE TRUE MEASURE OF A POLICE DEPARTMENT'S EFFECTIVENESS IS THE LACK OF CRIME AND THIS IS ACHIEVED BY BOTH PROACTIVE AND REACTIVE MEANS. MOST POLICE REACT QUITE WELL WHEN CRIMES HAVE BEEN COMMITTED, BUT MANY DO NOT SEE BROAD PROACTIVE MEASURES AS WITHIN THEIR PROVINCE. SIR ROBERT PEELE'S CONCEPT OF THE POLICE AS AN EXTENSION OF THE PUBLIC CITIZEN IS EXPLORED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT IT IS THE DUTY OF THE POLICE TO PREVENT CRIME JUST AS IT IS THE DUTY OF EACH CITIZEN TO PREVENT CRIME, AND THAT THIS MUST GO BEYOND TRADITIONAL 'TARGET-HARDENING' EFFORTS. IT IS PREDICTED THAT BY THE YEAR 2000 SUCH CONCEPTS AS ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, DEFENSIBLE SPACE, ZONE OR TEAM POLICING, COMMUNITY DIVERSION PROGRAMS, INTERAGENCY COOPERATION, NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, COMMUNITY JUSTICE COUNCILS, AND OTHER FORMS OF SOCIAL ACTION WILL RECEIVE HIGH POLICE PRIORITY. IT IS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE MUST BE GOOD COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION FOR THE POLICE TO BE EFFECTIVE. SOCIAL PARTICIPATION IMPROVES THESE TIES WITH THE COMMUNITY. (GLR)