In response to the needs and concerns of the Aboriginal communities and the police in these communities, the Ministry of the Solicitor General of Canada has commissioned this handbook, the purpose of which is to provide police practitioners with a guide to using the problem oriented policing approach in Aboriginal communities. [...] Responses to the problems can then be based on a realistic understanding of the contributing factors, the magnitude, and the solvability of the problem. [...] At the same time, the community must understand and accept the role of the police and the formal and informal practices that influence their operations. [...] A positive relationship between the police and the community will likely take time and depends on the community's historical relationship with the police, the commitment of the police, and the. [...] Several factors will influence the community's reaction to such a proposal, including the success or failure of previous programs, the history of community involvement, and the level of success in developing a positive relationship between the police and the community.