Which of the following operations best exemplifies community-oriented policing?

The hiring of bilingual officers to patrol ethnic neighborhoods exemplifies community-oriented policing because it directly enhances communication and trust between law enforcement and the community it serves. Community-oriented policing emphasizes building strong relationships and partnerships with community members to collaboratively address safety and quality of life issues. By hiring officers who can communicate effectively with residents in their native language, the police can foster a more inclusive environment, encourage community engagement, and improve the reporting of crimes and public safety concerns. This approach acknowledges and respects the diversity within a community, which is a fundamental principle of community-oriented policing.

In contrast, the other options focus more on reactive strategies or internal improvements that may not directly involve community interaction. For instance, sting operations or SWAT teams typically address specific criminal activities or emergencies without engaging with the community to build relationships. Similarly, computerized data terminals are tools that improve efficiency for officers but do not cultivate the collaborative approach characterized by community-oriented policing.