One of the best ways to fully grasp the concept of community policing, including key aspects and critical elements of community policing, is through an understanding of the historical evolution of community policing. This entry explores the historical context of community policing, commonly recognized [Page 53]eras of policing, portents of community policing, antecedents of community policing, reasons for implementation of community policing, approaches to community policing, the development of community policing over the past three decades, and future prospects for community policing.