COMPSTAT was created by the New York Police Department in 1994 and is known having a significant impact on the reduction of major crimes in New York City. COMPSTAT is globally acknowledged and has become a successful tool for integrating precise crime intelligence analysis methods and streamlining law enforcement management processes. COMPSTAT can be described as a series of process used for the collection and analysis of criminal intelligence data which in turn assists commanders in developing effective strategies and tactics to combat crime.
The effective reduction of crime and quality of life abatement is of prime importance in the COMPSTAT model is and is one of the four core principles in the COMPSTAT paradigm. This essay will examine the impact that the implementation of COMPSTAT has had. In doing so it will determine what changes in strategy, structure and operations have taken place as a result of the implementation process.
The COMPSTAT process and Data-Driven Problem Identification and Assessment
COMPSTAT is regularly described as a management accountability process that is a multi-layered and dynamic approach to crime reduction, personnel and resource management. The COMPSTAT process of Data-Driven Problem Identification and Assessment, (now referred to as DDPIA), utilizes geographical Information Systems (geo-coding), and advanced software to mine, track and analyze data concerning criminal activity, such as Part I and Part II UCR crimes. The process can
Crime measurement and statistics for police departments are very important when it comes to money allotment, staffing needs or termination and it is also used to determine the effectiveness of new laws and programs. There are three tools used to measure major crime in the United States: Uniform Crime Reports, National Crime Victimization Survey and the National Incident Based Reporting System- which is currently being tested to replace the Uniform Crime Reports. Although there different tools used to measure crime, crime rates can be deceiving. Each different tool reports a different type of rate, crime rates, arrest
A system called “CompStat” was used to track crime reports and other data in an effort to track areas with high crime rates and gang hot spots. Karoliszyn reports that “after patrolling these hot spots for a year, murders had dropped by 60 percent. By 2003, murders were the lowest they had been since 1964” (338). With these statistics, Karoliszyn proves the effectiveness of the system when actually used in the workforce. There is a flaw in his claim. The author only proved the system’s effectiveness in one city, and in one year. As with a great majority of statistics, these numbers could vary either towards or against the system’s value if done in different cities and in different amounts of time. With more data spread across the spectrum, a bigger picture could be seen regarding the reliability of a precognitive policing system.
In the 2000s, the number of those “Stopped and Frisked” increased drastically due to the law enforcement agencies and departments in New York City forced to meet their COMPSTAT numbers for the given time. COMPSTAT is a system used by the NYPD that collects data about local crimes and the measurements to take control of the issues. Weekly meetings are coordinated to discuss the findings. Clark (2015) stated that, a survey conducted showed that it was more pressure and stress on officers to conduct stops after COMPSTAT became active.
CompStat is problem oriented and prevents crime, and focus on problem rather than reminiscing on past incidents.
The Uniform Crime Report and the National Crime Victimization survey are similar in creating data for crime and aim to be accurate as possible and they both are valuable in helping with crime statics. The UCR reports crime and the NCVS aim to look for unreported crimes. However, the purpose of the UCR (Uniform Crime Report) reports to law enforcement agencies accordingly to our textbook (Understanding violence and Victimization, Meadows, Robert-6th ed. P. 3). It helps to enable law enforcement to exchange information about different crimes on a nationwide system, but there is certain information that would not be available because crimes are only reported to
In each district crime is broken down and analyzed by type of crime to identify the place of occurrence data can tell the time of day, day of week, and week of the year the crime occurred. Information is displayed on maps about current crimes activities and the previous month’s. “COMPSTAT is one of the most important innovation in police accountability.” (Walker-Katz page, 464).
In preparation for my debate on the topics of intelligence-led policing and Compstat policing, I have discovered the many advantages and disadvantages of using intelligence-led policing and Compstat policing. According to Carter & Carter (2009), intelligence-led policing is the collection of and analysis of data relating to crime, used by law enforcement in “developing tactical responses to threats and/or strategic planning related to emerging changing threats” (p. 317). When applied correctly, intelligence-led policing is a tool used for information sharing in identifying threats and developing responses to prevent those threats from reaching fruition (Carter, 2011). One of the advantages of using intelligence-led policing is its incorporation of data analysts. The role of the data analyst in the context of intelligence-led policing allows them to take specially trained analysts to take raw data from information found in reports and translate it into useful information for the officers, allowing the police to deploy resources more effectively and efficiently (Griffiths, 2016). Another advantage is its application through preventative and predictive policing (proactive policing), in which law enforcement take data and identify crucial variables such as terrorism or the emergence of criminal organizations, in hopes of stopping the problem at its roots (Carter, 2011). Terrorism is especially important and emphasized after the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Centers in
first prong looks outwardly at crime and its effects in the community, while the second examines
The City of Columbus Mississippi recognizes the need for a new analytical unit. This is a proposal that aims to develop this new analytical unit in an effort to support all levels of the Police Department, to include command personnel, supervisors, detectives, and patrol officers. law enforcement agencies in. This analytical unit will obtain and analyze as much information as possible in order to identify crime patterns, trends, offenders, and develop correlations, to improve short-term and long-term decision-making. Once this new analytical unit is in place and all key positions are filled, the pertinent information gathered and analyzed will aid in the prevention of crime and the catching of criminals.
3. Determine how information systems have allowed police departments that implement tools such as COMPSTAT to respond to crime faster.
The use of technology in the policing domain has been rapidly adopted over the past few years. However, it should be noted that the process of adopting and effectively using technology in law enforcement, begun more than 50 years ago. For instance, it become apparent in the 1950’s that computer would enable easier storage and retrieval of large amounts of data. More recently, advancement in technology has incorporated more sophisticated ways of transmitting and analyzing information, therefore aiding the law enforcement process (Button, Sharples & Harper, 2007). The police have found various aspect of technology useful; predominantly, computer crime mapping has been widely adopted and consequently received a lot of attention
The focus of this paper will be based upon different crime prevention strategies implemented by members of the communities, local and government authorities.
The USDOJ identified several dimensions of police operations to serve as KPIs including crime rate, crime resolution rate, safety in personal and public spaces, effective, efficient and fair use of resources, and community and customer service. The crime rate is the most often discussed KPI in policing and, based on the included County Police Management Report, one that is already being tracked by the department. The recommended KPIs around crime resolution rate and safety in public and personal spaces are also very crime data specific and are already being tracked through the County Police Management Report.
DeKalb Illinois is a quaint college town that spans about 15 square miles and has a population of about 44,000 residents. The DeKalb police department is home to the officers and equipment in charge of keeping this town safe. According to their 2015 Crime Report the city of DeKalb can be described as a moderate crime area. The men and women of this department serve to keep DeKalb safe with daily patrols, security at mass town events, and close collaboration with NIU, among other things.
The three most prevalent crime analysis methods that are tactical, strategical, and administrative(Wyckoff, 2014). Tactical crime analysis incorporates information analyzed for the purpose of short-term solutions(Wyckoff, 2014). Tactical crime analysis information is usually kept internal and produced on a daily basis(Wyckoff, 2014). Moreover, tactical crime analysis aids in the development of patrol and investigation practices along with deployment of resources(Wyckoff, 2014). Most of the data used for tactical crime analysis devises from police reports(Wyckoff, 2014). Some examples of tactical crime analysis are repeated incident analysis, crime pattern analysis, and linking known offenders to prior crimes(Wyckoff, 2014). Another type of crime analysis is strategic which data is analyzed for the purpose of creating and evaluating of long-term strategies, policies, and prevention techniques(Wyckoff, 2014). Strategic crime analysis is usually conducted slowly and at a deliberate pace(Wyckoff, 2014). The process of strategic crime analysis begins with police reports by is heavily influenced by outside sources of information which can be produced by quantitative or qualitative methods(Wyckoff, 2014). Some examples of strategic crime analysis are trend analysis, hot spot analysis, and problem analysis(Wyckoff, 2014). Lastly, there is administrative crime analysis which deals with management needs(Wyckoff, 2014). This crime analysis approach is very broad where actions are taken either regularly or upon request(Wyckoff, 2014). Analyzing information to develop patrol staffing, districting and re-districting, cost-benefits, and resource deployment for special occasions are some examples of the administrative crime analysis approach(Wyckoff,