A large number of research is conducted to assess the police effectiveness in crime and disorder reduction. Most of them aim to identify what kind of strategies are successful in the police practice. The study conducted by Telep & Weisburd (2012) is also concerned with this issue. Based on the review of previously conducted research in this field, they propose tactics that police force should and should not use in their practice. For example, according to the authors, the strategies such as problem-oriented policing, hot spots policing, focused deterrence approaches, the use of DNA testing in property cases, and directed patrol are found to be effective in reducing crimes and disorders (Telep & Weisburd, 2012). Meanwhile, random preventive patrol, Drug Abuse Resistance Education and second responder programs should be avoided. Moreover, they conduct research to identify whether, in reality, the police are doing what is effective in combating crimes.
This article is different from previous sources by the fact that it systematizes and standardizes a large number of sources written over the last three decades to create a list of recommendations for police on how to work effectively. The results of this study can be implemented in the education and training of police officers and lead to a reduction in the number of illegal actions. In particular, a vast number of studies on hot spots policing highlights its high effectiveness in addressing crimes in locations with a large concentration of crimes but does not clearly suggests what kind of activities the police force should engage in in those areas. However, the paper by Telep & Weisburd (2012) proposes exact actions that should be performed, including spending at least 15 minutes in hot spot areas, using situational prevention strategies and others. In addition, this article identifies other types of police intervention strategies that can be helpful in addressing crimes such as problem-oriented policing. This method is found to be especially successful using the SARA model (Telep & Weisburd, 2012). Therefore, this article is distinct from other police literature because of its throughout the review of the sources and a precise set of cations.
Crime analysis is of high importance in tailoring crime reduction strategies. Based on the research findings and their results, educators can implement this information in the learning curricula of police officers’ training courses. For example, the guidance provided by the police evaluative studies suggest implementing problem-solving training for new officers and notes the role of police legitimacy and procedural justice (Tulip & Weisburd, 2012). Moreover, by minimizing the role of the ineffective strategies highlighted in the police literature and using more effective ones during their education, police officers can tackle crime-related issues using fewer resources like time and people. Police practitioners can see the effectiveness of the strategies that they use in the examples of the studies conducted in this field.
In conclusion, the role of crime analysis and its impact on the reduction of crimes and disorders are undeniable. On the example of the above-mentioned research, it is seen that when police officers apply strategies that are found to be effective, they significantly reduce the number of crimes and illegal actions in many areas. Moreover, by avoiding potentially ineffective tactics, they will be able to switch their focus from activities that diminish their time and resources. Thus, the future of policing partially depends on how much research is conducted in this field and how its results are implemented in practice.
References
Telep, C. W., & Weisburd, D. (2012). What is known about the effectiveness of police practices in reducing crime and disorder? Police Quarterly, 15(4), 331-357.