Crime Analysis In Policing
The improvement of police crime analysis and related resource allocation can be accredited to GIS technology. Even though GIS technology can be an efficient and effective process in policing limited empirical assessment has been conducted. There are four major applications that make up GIS in policing. 1. Computerized crime mapping/crime analysis. 2. "Hot spots" identification. 3. Improving command-level decision making. 4. Geographical investigative analysis (primarily offender profiling). “The primary objective of this qualitative review is to identify the extent of empirical evaluations of the effectiveness of a GIS. Although there is some research reference offender profiling, results are mixed. Only two empirical evaluations have been
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published that examine crime mapping, and both are limited to effects on perceptions. No empirical work links GIS to police deployed effectiveness” (Zhang, Y., Hoover, L. &Zhao, J. (2014).
Studies have tested variations of concentrated patrol combined with intense field interrogations, broken windows enforcement, Compstat accountability, and problem-oriented approaches. Although a majority of findings support the efficacy of concentrated patrol, a substantial number do not. Questions remain regarding six variables: dimension, dosage, duration, displacement, diffusion, and denouement. This study tested differential deployment lengths of geographically concentrated, proactive patrol for an additional 80 h per week in 13 high crime beats in Houston, TX. The original purpose was to identify optimal lengths of deployment periods. The study used a switched replication design with repeated treatments over deployment periods ranging from 4 to 12 weeks. Meaningful reductions in suppressible street crime occurred in only 2 of the 13 beats. The two beats were among the smallest, had among the highest crime rates, and received the highest dosage of concentrated patrol (Hoover, L., and Wells, W., Zhang, Y., Ren, L., & Zhao, J. (2016).
It was found that the DPD's Disruption Unit's hot spots policing immediately affected violent crimes, nuisance offenses, and total index crimes, while there were no residual effects of hot spots policing.
The Disruption Unit was engaged in policing activities that include motor vehicle and pedestrian stops, issuing citations, and making arrests. Among these activities, the number of police stops was the most significant factor for the reduction in violent crime and nuisance offenses. Research limitations/implications - The researchers use a patrol sector as a unit of analysis in order to compare influence of various types of police activities on crime across a broader area. Future research should consider using an intermediate geographic unit of analysis (e.g. patrol beat) (Jang, H., Lee, C., & Hoover, L. T. …show more content…
(2012).
Criminal intelligence analysis permits law enforcement authorities to establish a pro-active response to crime.
It enables them to identify and understand criminal groups operating in their areas. Once criminal groups are identified and their habits known, law enforcement authorities may begin to assess current trends in crime to forecast, and to hamper the development of perceived future criminal activities. Intelligence provides the knowledge on which to base decisions and select appropriate targets for investigation. While the use of criminal intelligence analysis is appropriate to support investigations, surveillance operations and the prosecution of cases, it also provides law enforcement agencies with the ability to effectively manage resources, budget, and meet their responsibility for crime prevention
Zhang, Y., Hoover, L., & Zhao, J. (2014). Geographic Information Systems effects on police efficacy: An evaluation of empirical assessments. International Journal of Applied Geospatial Research, 5(2), 30-43
Hoover, L., Wells, W., Zhang, Y., Ren, L., & Zhao, J. (2016). Houston Enhanced Action Patrol: Examining the effects of differential deployment lengths with a switched replication design. Justice Quarterly, 33(3), 538-563
Jang, H., Lee, C., & Hoover, L. T. (2012). Dallas' disruption unit: Efficacy of hot spots deployment. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, 35(3), 593 –
614
Reference:
Criminal Intelligence: Manual Analysts. Retrieved 11/12/2017 from: https://www.unodc.org/documents/organized-crime/Law-Enforcement/...
published that examine crime mapping, and both are limited to effects on perceptions. No empirical work links GIS to police deployed effectiveness” (Zhang, Y., Hoover, L. &Zhao, J. (2014).
Studies have tested variations of concentrated patrol combined with intense field interrogations, broken windows enforcement, Compstat accountability, and problem-oriented approaches. Although a majority of findings support the efficacy of concentrated patrol, a substantial number do not. Questions remain regarding six variables: dimension, dosage, duration, displacement, diffusion, and denouement. This study tested differential deployment lengths of geographically concentrated, proactive patrol for an additional 80 h per week in 13 high crime beats in Houston, TX. The original purpose was to identify optimal lengths of deployment periods. The study used a switched replication design with repeated treatments over deployment periods ranging from 4 to 12 weeks. Meaningful reductions in suppressible street crime occurred in only 2 of the 13 beats. The two beats were among the smallest, had among the highest crime rates, and received the highest dosage of concentrated patrol (Hoover, L., and Wells, W., Zhang, Y., Ren, L., & Zhao, J. (2016).
It was found that the DPD's Disruption Unit's hot spots policing immediately affected violent crimes, nuisance offenses, and total index crimes, while there were no residual effects of hot spots policing.
The Disruption Unit was engaged in policing activities that include motor vehicle and pedestrian stops, issuing citations, and making arrests. Among these activities, the number of police stops was the most significant factor for the reduction in violent crime and nuisance offenses. Research limitations/implications - The researchers use a patrol sector as a unit of analysis in order to compare influence of various types of police activities on crime across a broader area. Future research should consider using an intermediate geographic unit of analysis (e.g. patrol beat) (Jang, H., Lee, C., & Hoover, L. T. …show more content…
(2012).
Criminal intelligence analysis permits law enforcement authorities to establish a pro-active response to crime.
It enables them to identify and understand criminal groups operating in their areas. Once criminal groups are identified and their habits known, law enforcement authorities may begin to assess current trends in crime to forecast, and to hamper the development of perceived future criminal activities. Intelligence provides the knowledge on which to base decisions and select appropriate targets for investigation. While the use of criminal intelligence analysis is appropriate to support investigations, surveillance operations and the prosecution of cases, it also provides law enforcement agencies with the ability to effectively manage resources, budget, and meet their responsibility for crime prevention
Zhang, Y., Hoover, L., & Zhao, J. (2014). Geographic Information Systems effects on police efficacy: An evaluation of empirical assessments. International Journal of Applied Geospatial Research, 5(2), 30-43
Hoover, L., Wells, W., Zhang, Y., Ren, L., & Zhao, J. (2016). Houston Enhanced Action Patrol: Examining the effects of differential deployment lengths with a switched replication design. Justice Quarterly, 33(3), 538-563
Jang, H., Lee, C., & Hoover, L. T. (2012). Dallas' disruption unit: Efficacy of hot spots deployment. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, 35(3), 593 –
614
Reference:
Criminal Intelligence: Manual Analysts. Retrieved 11/12/2017 from: https://www.unodc.org/documents/organized-crime/Law-Enforcement/...