What aspect of policing does the term 'reactive' describe in traditional policing?

The term 'reactive' in traditional policing specifically refers to responding to unforeseen events. This approach involves law enforcement reacting to incidents after they occur, rather than taking preventative measures beforehand. Reactive policing typically encompasses responding to calls for service, investigating crimes that have already happened, and addressing situations as they arise. This characteristic is fundamental to the traditional model of policing, which often prioritizes response capabilities to ensure public safety once a crime or incident has taken place.

In contrast, anticipating and preventing crime is more aligned with proactive policing strategies, and engaging with community leaders or developing long-term crime reduction strategies falls within community-oriented policing and problem-solving initiatives rather than a reactive framework. Therefore, understanding the reactive nature of policing is essential to recognizing how law enforcement has historically functioned in relation to public safety and crime management.