This week, I taught the last of six classes on Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) with a group of insightful police supervisors. It reminded me of a critical incident last year where data not only pointed us to a burgeoning crime issue but also guided us to an innovative solution. Here's why embracing data in policing is not just beneficial but essential.
The Essence of Problem-Solving in Policing
At its core, policing aims to prevent crime and disorder, a principle echoing Robert Peel's vision from 1829. But how can our police forces stay ahead of issues before they escalate? The answer lies in effective problem identification, with good data being the key.
Across sectors, from public health to business, the initial step in problem-solving remains consistent: identifying the problem accurately. For policing, this could mean recognizing a spike in specific crimes through data dashboards, as we did in my agency. An increase in vandalism reports, for instance, was quickly visualized through our dashboard, allowing us to investigate and strategize effectively. An example of our public-facing crime dashboard can be found here.
Data: The Lens That Brings Issues Into Focus
Data does not just highlight problems; it validates suspicions. I once suspected a rise in commercial burglaries but found, upon consulting our data, that such incidents were actually decreasing. This revelation saved us from misallocating valuable resources.
Why Data Systems Are Non-Negotiable
Early Detection: Data systems allow for the early detection of trends, enabling proactive responses.
Validation of Hunches: They help confirm or refute our intuitions with hard evidence.
Strategic Planning and Evaluation: Data informs strategy development and measures success, ensuring resources are used efficiently.
Looking Forward
As we continue to navigate the complexities of modern policing, the integration of robust data systems into our problem-solving models remains non-negotiable. Future posts will delve deeper into how data not only identifies and solves problems but also prevents them.
Your Thoughts?
How do you see data transforming problem-solving in your field? Share your experiences and join the conversation below.
Thank you for reading, and let's continue to make a difference, one data point at a time.
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Image: OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com