Chicago Police Department (CPD) Practice Exam 2026 - Free CPD Practice Questions and Study Guide

The SARA model stands for Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment, and it is a problem-solving process often used in community policing. The first step, scanning, is essential because it involves identifying and prioritizing potential issues or problems within the community. During this phase, officers gather information about the problems affecting the community, looking for patterns, trends, or specific incidents that may warrant further investigation.

By conducting this initial scanning, officers can effectively understand what issues need immediate attention and which may be less pressing. This step lays the groundwork for the subsequent analysis, where the gathered information is examined in depth to determine the underlying causes of the identified problems. Therefore, scanning is critical as it initiates the entire process of problem-solving in the SARA model and helps focus the efforts of law enforcement on the most relevant concerns within the community.