Policing goes beyond apprehending criminals post-crime. Preventing crime and victimization is paramount. Changing the current scenario is crucial; law enforcement alone cannot solve crime issues by arrests. Addressing the root causes is key to deterring and preventing crime. Evidence-based policing excels in utilizing data-driven approaches to detect crime patterns and intervene effectively thus strategically disrupting crime and harm patterns. Understanding the fundamental strategies* employed in evidence-based policing is a vital initial step.
Data-analysis & Intelligence-Driven Policing (ILP) -
o This is an incredibly vital and central component to EBP. Uses data collection and analysis to generate actionable ‘intelligence’ that can identify problems, patterns, and causes therein. It can then be used by law enforcement professionals to make informed decisions regarding effective responses, resource allocation, and analysis of the results.
o Crime analysts are an amazing resource!
Hot-spot policing –
o Focuses police efforts and attention at high activity/crime places.
Deployment of personnel to deal with localized crime/problems
Example: Using the ‘Koper curve’ - patrol stops for 10-15min at a time in a hot spot in order to have a visual deterrence.
Focused deterrence –
o AKA- ‘pulling levers approach.’
o Focuses resources on controlling/reducing/deterring specific behavior/crime and even the perpetrating groups/individuals.
o Targets repeat offenders (individual &/or groups)
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) –
o Evaluate environmental features that create opportunities for crime and make effective changes to the environment which make it less appealing to offenders and more appealing to law abiding citizens.
o Principles: Territorial Reinforcement, Natural Surveillance, Access Control, and Maintenance/Management.
Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) -
o Identify specific problems, diagnose underlying conditions contributing to the problem through close analysis, and act on that information through responding and addressing those underlying circumstances through preventative actions.
The SARA Model –
o Structural framework of a problem-oriented policing strategy that is used to identify problems, analyze them, respond to them, and assess that response.
o Elements: Scanning, Analysis, Response, Assessment.
Crime Analysis Triangle –
o This idea assumes that crime or disorder results when (1) likely offenders and (2) suitable targets come together in (3) time and space, in the absence of capable guardians for that target.
o However, when any one of these three categories is removed, then there is the absence of a problem.
Offenders can be controlled by ‘handlers.
Targets/Victims can be protected by ‘guardians.
Places can be controlled by ‘mangers.
o Derived from the routine activity approach: when a crime occurs, three things happen at the same time and in the same space:
a suitable target is available.
There is a lack of a suitable guardian to prevent the crime from happening.
A motivated offender is present.
Situational Crime Prevention-
o Rational Choice Theory
o Used for intervention and reducing the opportunity for crimes.
o 5 main interventions:
Increase the effort the offender needs to make.
Increase the risks to the offender.
Reduce the rewards/benefits to the offender.
Remove excuses used by the offender to justify their actions.
Reduce provocations that may tempt offenders.
o 25 Techniques in chart
* This is not necessarily a comprehensive list, but it is a solid start for anyone who may be interested in learning more about evidence-based policing.
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