_____ policing is the dominant model of policing.

• A. Proactive policing
• B. Reactive policing
• C. Community policing
• D. Problem-oriented policing

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is understanding the historical default in policing: reactive policing means responding to crimes or incidents after they are reported or occur. This approach shapes how resources are used—departments traditionally focus on handling calls for service, arriving to scenes, and conducting follow-up investigations rather than initiating actions to prevent crimes before they happen. While newer strategies emphasize proactive measures, targeted enforcement in hot spots, and building community partnerships, the classic, long-standing pattern in many agencies has been to react to events as they arise. That’s why reactive policing is considered the best answer here: it describes the traditional, incident-driven mode of police work that has dominated practice for a long time.