Problem-Oriented Policing And The SARA Model: Case Study
Problem-Oriented Policing and the SARA Model
Joshua Sipes
Johnston
August 21, 2013
Arizona State University
Law enforcement is one of the most dynamic social fields in the world. Police tactics and strategies are constantly changing to meet the needs of the communities that they serve, large and small alike. New strategies are implemented in hopes of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of police. The majority of new strategies aim to help law enforcement agencies and protocols become more systematic, and eliminate any redundancy. One such strategy was introduced in 1979 by Herman Goldstein (Clark, 2003). Goldstein’s idea revolved around identifying a specific problem, implementing case specific solutions to that issue, and analyzing the effect that the interventions had on the original problem. …show more content…
Goldstein’s proposed system contrasted and complimented many existing programs, but was unique in its very direct problem solving approach.
Quite simply, problem-oriented policing aims at reducing and removing the elements that cause crime rather than dedicating a large number of resources to respond to crimes. Comparatively, it is the equivalent of stitching up a deep flesh wound rather than simply putting a Band-Aid on it. Problem-oriented policing is implemented in four different stages. First, data is scanned to determine a pattern in routine incidents. Once analysis is complete, the data is analyzed to determine any linking, or unique factors. After the data has been gathered and analyzed, tactics are changed to disrupt the normal chain of events in the criminal activity, or otherwise prevent instances of the crime’s occurrence. Sometimes, in order to decrease the instances of one crime occurring, numerous other interventions must be taken. Lastly, more data is gathered in order to determine the efficiency of the program, and the overall effectiveness of the interventions
taken. As a whole, this four step process is sometimes referred to as SARA (Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment) (Clark, 2003).
Personally, I think that problem-oriented policing is a great addition to the already broad arsenal of policing tactics currently in use today. It only makes sense to approach large problems, such as criminal activity, in a logical and calculated manner. After reading the textbook’s definitions of different political perspectives and comparing my personal views, I feel that I share many views of the conservative perspective (Worral , 2008). Much like the conservative perspective, I feel that redundancies in the justice system currently bog us down and hinder the criminal justice process. Implementing problem-oriented policing would reduce the redundancies within our system, and aid us in achieving a streamlined, efficient system that can provide the rehabilitation and justice that we need.
References
Clark, R. V., & Eck, J. E. (2003). Problem oriented policing. In Crime Analysis for Problem Solvers in 60 Small Steps Retrieved from http://www.popcenter.org/library/reading/PDFs/60steps.pdf
Worral, J., & Champion, D. (2008). Crime control and prevention in america. Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
Joshua Sipes
Johnston
August 21, 2013
Arizona State University
Law enforcement is one of the most dynamic social fields in the world. Police tactics and strategies are constantly changing to meet the needs of the communities that they serve, large and small alike. New strategies are implemented in hopes of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of police. The majority of new strategies aim to help law enforcement agencies and protocols become more systematic, and eliminate any redundancy. One such strategy was introduced in 1979 by Herman Goldstein (Clark, 2003). Goldstein’s idea revolved around identifying a specific problem, implementing case specific solutions to that issue, and analyzing the effect that the interventions had on the original problem. …show more content…
Goldstein’s proposed system contrasted and complimented many existing programs, but was unique in its very direct problem solving approach.
Quite simply, problem-oriented policing aims at reducing and removing the elements that cause crime rather than dedicating a large number of resources to respond to crimes. Comparatively, it is the equivalent of stitching up a deep flesh wound rather than simply putting a Band-Aid on it. Problem-oriented policing is implemented in four different stages. First, data is scanned to determine a pattern in routine incidents. Once analysis is complete, the data is analyzed to determine any linking, or unique factors. After the data has been gathered and analyzed, tactics are changed to disrupt the normal chain of events in the criminal activity, or otherwise prevent instances of the crime’s occurrence. Sometimes, in order to decrease the instances of one crime occurring, numerous other interventions must be taken. Lastly, more data is gathered in order to determine the efficiency of the program, and the overall effectiveness of the interventions
taken. As a whole, this four step process is sometimes referred to as SARA (Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment) (Clark, 2003).
Personally, I think that problem-oriented policing is a great addition to the already broad arsenal of policing tactics currently in use today. It only makes sense to approach large problems, such as criminal activity, in a logical and calculated manner. After reading the textbook’s definitions of different political perspectives and comparing my personal views, I feel that I share many views of the conservative perspective (Worral , 2008). Much like the conservative perspective, I feel that redundancies in the justice system currently bog us down and hinder the criminal justice process. Implementing problem-oriented policing would reduce the redundancies within our system, and aid us in achieving a streamlined, efficient system that can provide the rehabilitation and justice that we need.
References
Clark, R. V., & Eck, J. E. (2003). Problem oriented policing. In Crime Analysis for Problem Solvers in 60 Small Steps Retrieved from http://www.popcenter.org/library/reading/PDFs/60steps.pdf
Worral, J., & Champion, D. (2008). Crime control and prevention in america. Boston, MA: Pearson Education.