Which of the following is the least likely potential problem regarding community policing?

Community policing focuses on building partnerships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, emphasizing collaboration and proactive approaches to crime and safety. The essence of this policing strategy is to enhance the relationship between officers and residents, thereby fostering trust and communication.

The choice indicating that police may become harder on crime is least likely in the context of community policing. This approach typically promotes a more community-focused, supportive, and preventative stance rather than an adversarial or aggressive one. Community policing encourages officers to engage with the community, understand its concerns, and work collaboratively to address issues. Instead of escalating a hardline approach to crime, community policing seeks to resolve problems through understanding and community engagement, making it less aligned with the idea of being "harder on crime."

The other options reflect more direct challenges that can arise within a community policing framework. The potential for officers to become corrupt represents a significant concern when there is closer community interaction, and the risk of citizens having undue influence over police operations suggests a tension in maintaining professional boundaries. Lastly, the risk of unequal justice can emerge if community biases infiltrate policing practices. These are issues that need to be managed, but they are not inherent to the foundational goals of community policing, which seeks equitable treatment and partnership.