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Date: November 22, 2024 Fri
Time: 12:07 pm
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Results for police policies and practices
50 results foundAuthor: Telep, Cody W. Title: What is Known about the Effectiveness of Police Practices? Summary: Over the past two decades there have been a number of reviews of the policing evaluation literature focused on the question of what police can do to most effectively address crime and disorder. The 1997 Maryland report to Congress on “What works, what doesn’t, what’s promising” devoted a chapter to police effectiveness (Sherman, 1997), as did the 2002 book version of the report (Sherman & Eck, 2002). Founded in 2000, the Campbell Collaboration Crime and Justice Coordinating Group (see http://campbellcollaboration.org/crime_and_justice; Farrington & Petrosino, 2001) has now published over 25 systematic reviews on a variety of criminal justice topics, many of which are relevant to the question of what works in policing. The National Research Council Committee to Review Research on Police Policy and Practices published a 2004 volume on the policing literature, devoting a chapter to police strategies to reduce crime, disorder, and fear of crime (see also Weisburd & Eck, 2004). More recently, Lum and colleagues (2011) have developed the Evidence-Based Policing Matrix (see http://policingmatrix.org) to display visually the characteristics and results of the most rigorous police evaluation research. The Office of Justice Programs in the Department of Justice also recently launched a new online initiative (see http://crimesolutions.gov) to highlight what programs in law enforcement (and criminal justice more generally) are effective and promising. Our goal in this paper is not to simply replicate what has already been accomplished in these prior chapters and articles, although we will devote space to reviewing the collective wisdom from these earlier reviews. Instead, we hope to build upon and synthesize these reviews to categorize strategies and tactics based on what police should be doing, what they should not be doing, and what we know too little about to make informed recommendations. Additionally, based on the limited available data, we will discuss how current policing policies and practices match up with effective practices from the research literature. That is, are police doing what they should be doing? In doing so, we will pay particular attention to the strategies and tactics of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and assess how well these line up with empirical evidence on police effectiveness in addressing crime and disorder. We will first briefly review the sources of research evidence we consulted for this review. We then turn to our review of what police should be doing, what police should not be doing, and what we currently know too little about (but which police are currently engaging in). We cover a broad span of police strategies, focusing in particular on a number of innovations in policing that have developed over the past 20 to 30 years (see Weisburd & Braga, 2006). After reviewing the research evidence, we discuss the implications for policing and compare what we know about what strategies police are currently using to what we know is most effective, focusing in particular on strategies in the NYPD. Details: Paper Prepared for “Understanding the Crime Decline in NYC” funded by the Open Society Institute, 2011. 65p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 11, 2012 at: http://www.jjay.cuny.edu/Telep_Weisburd.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.jjay.cuny.edu/Telep_Weisburd.pdf Shelf Number: 124928 Keywords: Police PerformancePolice Policies and PracticesPolice Programs |
Author: Davis, Robert C. Title: Selected International Best Practices in Police Performance Measurement Summary: Historically, police agencies have measured their performance against a very restricted set of crime-focused indicators, such as crime rates, arrests, and response times. However, modern police officers must be prepared to take on a wide variety of roles, from problem-solver to counselor and provider of first aid, among many others. Therefore, performance measures should be multidimensional to capture the complexity inherent in modern policing. In this era of tight budgets and deep cuts in municipal services, local officials have prioritized police performance improvement and the collection of measurable evidence to justify budget requests. Police departments also benefit from measuring performance; the results can help officials monitor department operations, promote adherence to policies and strategic plans, and detect patterns of bias or misconduct. By defining what is measured, executives send a signal to their command about what activities are valued and what results are considered important. Performance measures can also help track the progress of individual officers, the efficient use of funds, and many other indicators of organizational health. This report describes some of the key considerations involved in designing measures to evaluate law enforcement agencies. It also includes a framework for measuring performance and a detailed review of some international best practices. Details: Santa Monica, CA: Center on Quality Policing, RAND, 2012. Source: Technical Report: Internet Resource: Accessed August 13, 2012 at http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/technical_reports/2012/RAND_TR1153.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/technical_reports/2012/RAND_TR1153.pdf Shelf Number: 126023 Keywords: Evaluative StudiesPolice PerformancePolice Policies and PracticesPolicing |
Author: Wilson, Jeremy M. Title: A Performance-Based Approach to Police Staffing and Allocation Summary: Much attention has been given to police recruitment, retention, and, in this economic context, how to maintain police budgets and existing staffing positions. Less has centered on adequately assessing the demand for police service and alternative ways of managing that demand. To provide some practical guidance in these areas, the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) provided support to the Michigan State University (MSU) School of Criminal Justice to review current staffing allocation experiences and existing approaches to estimating the number of sworn staff a given agency requires. This guidebook summarizes the research conducted by the MSU team. It highlights the current staffing allocation landscape for law enforcement agencies and provides a practical step-by-step approach for any agency to assess its own patrol staffing needs based upon its workload and performance objectives. Additionally, it identifies some ways beyond the use of sworn staff that workload demand can be managed, and discusses how an agency’s approach to community policing implementation can affect staffing allocation and deployment. This guidebook will be particularly useful for police practitioners and planners conducting an assessment of their agency’s staffing need, and for researchers interested in police staffing experiences and assessment methods. This guidebook has a companion document, entitled Essentials for Leaders: A Performance-Based Approach to Police Staffing and Allocation, which may be of particular interest to police executives and policymakers who are concerned about both police-staffing allocation and efficiently providing quality police service in their communities. Details: East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University, 2012. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 9, 2012 at: http://news.msu.edu/media/documents/2012/10/1f1186b6-b4f5-4fc8-93e8-b228893295ce.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://news.msu.edu/media/documents/2012/10/1f1186b6-b4f5-4fc8-93e8-b228893295ce.pdf Shelf Number: 126901 Keywords: Police AdministrationPolice PerformancePolice Policies and PracticesPolice Recruitment and SelectionPolice StaffingPolicing (U.S.) |
Author: Chanin, Joshua M. Title: Negotiated Justice? The Legal, Administrative, and Policy Implications of ‘Pattern or Practice’ Police Misconduct Reform Summary: This study examined settlement reform efforts instituted between the DOJ and offending police departments in four jurisdictions: Pittsburgh, PA; Washington, DC; Cincinnati, OH; and Prince George’s County, MD. The study found that each department faced significant and varied challenges in implementing three settlement components: use-of-force policy change, creation of early warning systems, and the development of citizen complaint investigation protocols. Despite the delays and other complications associated with the implementation of the settlement components, each jurisdiction achieved “substantial compliance” with settlement mandates and was released from Federal oversight within 5 to 7 years of the original settlement date. Several factors were related to variations in the speed and comprehensiveness of the settlement reforms. These factors included the complexity of joint action, agency and jurisdictional resources, active and capable police leadership, and support from local political leaders. The research also identified the critical and unique role of independent monitors charged with overseeing the reform process. This analysis of the settlement implementation process did not address any departmental issues beyond the department’s implementation of the settlement mandates, such as the impacts of the reforms achieved. The study did examine factors related to the sustainability of the reform. After completing case studies of each jurisdiction, the author developed an analytical framework that described and evaluated the implementation of pattern or practice reform. Details: Washington, DC: American University, 2011. 444p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed February 22, 2013 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/237957.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/237957.pdf Shelf Number: 127707 Keywords: Police Misconduct (U.S.)Police Policies and PracticesPolice ReformViolent Crime Control and Enforcement Act |
Author: Hoggett, J. , Redford, P. , Toher, D. and White, P. Title: Police identity in a time of rapid organizational, social and political change: A pilot report, Avon and Somerset constabulary Summary: This project was developed by a research team at the University of the West of England (UWE) under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI) Dr. James Hoggett. Dr Hoggett initially approached the Constables Central Committee (CCC) of the Police Federation in November 2011 to discuss the possibility of developing a project to look at police officer perceptions about a range of changes occurring within the police service and how these changes may be impacting on police officers lives. The Constables Central Committee agreed to help facilitate the research project. In May 2012 the PI attended the annual Police Federation conference in Bournemouth to conduct focus groups with officers to enable the identification of the issues and changes that matter most to the police. These focus groups formed the basis for the development of a questionnaire survey which was constructed using the online survey software package Qualtrics in collaboration with Drs Redford, Toher and White of the University of the West of England, Bristol. A draft of the questionnaire was reviewed by members of the CCC who agreed to its format and content. With the assistance of the CCC, Avon and Somerset Constabulary volunteered to act as the pilot force for the research project. All officers from the rank of Police Constable to Chief Inspector were emailed the questionnaire survey via their work PNN email address (a total of 3017 officers). A total of 1400 officers completed at least 98 of the 108 survey questions (a response rate of 46%) and the statistical results in this report are based on the responses from these officers as of 16:00 on 01/11/2012. Three focus groups were also conducted with officers from the Avon and Somerset Constabulary. These focus groups addressed issues raised within the survey and also examined officer’s views about being a police officer in 2012/13 and the issues which impact upon them. These focus groups were conducted by the PI at police stations or Federation buildings within the Avon and Somerset force area. A number of key themes were identified from the questionnaire survey and focus group analysis which form the basis of this report. In summary, these themes are that the role of the police in 2012/13 is multifaceted and reducing the role to simply that of a crime fighter is overly simplistic and potentially problematic for the police and the public as it may affect the nature of interactions between them. The report also identifies the police in Avon and Somerset have a strong sense of organisational identity. In other words, being a police officer is a fundamental part of their self concept (who they are) and what affects one officer impacts on other officers. In relation to the current social, economic and political changes impacting upon the police service a number of themes were identified, ranging from issues about the government and the Winsor reviews in general to more specific issues of pensions, retirement and redundancy, fitness testing, direct entry and educational requirements, privatisation and police and crime commissioners. The report identifies that officers in Avon and Somerset have a negative view of recent and proposed changes to the police service and also have negative opinions about the Winsor reviews. Issues identified of most concern for officers were changes to pensions, retirement age and privatisation, while those of comparatively less concern were fitness testing, changes to the promotion system and changes to role and skill based pay. The report also illustrates that police officers are not against the idea of the need for change and reform in the police service in general. However, the report identifies that officers believe that any change processes should be made in collaboration with the police and be independent of politics. The report highlights that officers believe that issues of police morale, the sacrifices made to be officers and the goodwill of the police are vitally important to the police service. The report identifies that current police morale is low at both an individual and organisational level. In other words, officers believe that their own morale and that of their colleagues is low. The report also illustrates the sacrifices officers believe they make to be in the police service. For example, the negative impact that it has on their life when they are not at work and the impact that it has on the lives of their family and identifies that a majority of officers no longer believe that the sacrifices they make for the job are worth it. The report shows that officers believe that goodwill is essential to the success of the police because it forms the bedrock of policing and the police service could not function without it. It also identifies that officers believe that the changes occurring to the police service will erode this goodwill. Despite this concern the research identifies that goodwill is still present within Avon and Somerset constabulary and that it is linked to officers unifying sense of police identity. The final part of the report identifies that officers are concerned about the future of the police service, particularly in terms of the uncertainties they face and the lack of support they feel they are receiving at a local and national level from senior management. Moreover, the report identifies that officers suggest that this uncertainty is leading them to consider whether alternative forms of employment would be better for them and their families’. Details: Bristol, UK: University of the West of England, 2013. 63p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 1, 2013 at: http://eprints.uwe.ac.uk/19068/1/Police%20Federation%20Pilot%20Report.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://eprints.uwe.ac.uk/19068/1/Police%20Federation%20Pilot%20Report.pdf Shelf Number: 127754 Keywords: Police Officers (U.K.)Police Policies and PracticesPolice-Community Relations |
Author: Independent Police Commission (UK) Title: Policing for a Better Britain Summary: Policing for a Better Britain, the final report of the Independent Police Commission (IPC) presents a bold and radical vision of how to deliver fair and effective policing in these economically difficult times. The report aims to provide a roadmap for the professional evolution of the policy force and sets out 37 recommendations covering eight key themes: A social justice model of neighbourhood policing; Creating effective partnerships; Achieving better democratic governance; A new deal for police officers and staff; Building a police profession; Raising standards and remedying misconduct; A structure fit for purpose; and Making savings and efficiencies. Details: London: The Commission, 2013. 226p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 13, 2014 at: http://independentpolicecommission.org.uk/uploads/37d80308-be23-9684-054d-e4958bb9d518.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://independentpolicecommission.org.uk/uploads/37d80308-be23-9684-054d-e4958bb9d518.pdf Shelf Number: 131907 Keywords: Police AdministrationPolice LegitimacyPolice Policies and PracticesPolicing |
Author: Kiedrowski, John Title: Trends in Indigenous Policing Models: An International Comparison Summary: The report reviews Indigenous policing models in Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. These countries were selected due to similarities in their colonial history, laws, political structures and the socio-economic outcomes of their respective Indigenous peoples. The purpose of the report is to facilitate opportunities for the exchange of information on Indigenous policing models, research and policy issues. The report, however, is not an exhaustive overview of all Indigenous policing initiatives, but an attempt to initiate information sharing, and enhance cross-national communication and discussion in this critically important area. In the countries reviewed, the Indigenous population is growing at a more rapid rate than the non-Indigenous people. At the same time, the Indigenous people have a much higher rate of offences, arrest and incarceration than non-Indigenous population. Furthermore, the Indigenous people are more socially and economically challenged in terms of unemployment, education and health care. This setting poses a challenge for delivering policing services. Among the countries reviewed, Canada is alone in having a comprehensive and national policing program (FNPP) for its Aboriginal peoples. In the United States many of the reservations have their own policing services which evolved from Congressional legislation. Recently, Congress passed the Tribal Law & Order Act of 2010 to help establish partnerships between the Tribes and Federal government to better address the public-safety challenges that confront the Tribal communities. In Australia, the Royal Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths and Custody was the impetus for determining how policing models will service the Indigenous communities. Recently, the policing models have also been associated with the development of community partnership agreements and performance measures to better determine the impact of policing services. In New Zealand, policing services models continue to follow the Maori Responsiveness Strategy, which is geared towards building partnership and relations with the Maori people. The report identifies a few promising policing practices that can have a positive impact on public safety for Indigenous people. These practices where incorporated into an integrated policing model which highlights the importance of such factors as police training, the development of community partnerships, understanding Indigenous tradition and culture, and the use of a holistic framework. Finally, the report concludes that there is a critical need for further empirical research and more information sharing, and cross-national exchanges. Details: Ottawa: Public Safety Canada, 2013. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 23, 2014 at: http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/trnds-ndgns-plc-mdl/trnds-ndgns-plc-mdl-eng.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/trnds-ndgns-plc-mdl/trnds-ndgns-plc-mdl-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 132144 Keywords: AboriginalsIndigenous PeoplesPolice Policies and PracticesPolice TrainingPolice-Citizen InteractionsPolice-Community Relations |
Author: Police Executive Research Forum Title: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Use of Force Review: Cases and Policies Summary: The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) was commissioned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to conduct a review of the Use of Force by CBP officers and agents. This review included all CBP use of deadly force events from January 2010 through October 2012 and CBP use of force policies, equipment, tactics, and training. Sources of information were government-furnished information, equipment and materials and CBP policy documents. PERF reviewed Customs and Border Protection Use of Force Policies and 67 case files related to Customs and Border Protection agents' use of deadly force. Case files were sorted in general categories to include: firearm response to subjects armed with firearms; firearm response to rocks thrown on land; firearm response to rocks thrown on water; firearms use against vehicles; and other firearm cases. The case reviews raise a number of concerns, especially with regard to shots fired at vehicles and shots fired at subjects throwing rocks and other objects at agents. Improvements are also recommended in initial reporting, investigation, incident review, weapons, personal protective equipment, and training. Recommendations for changes in policies flow from these case reviews. Two policy and practice areas especially need significant change. First, officers/agents should be prohibited from shooting at vehicles unless vehicle occupants are attempting to use deadly force--other than the vehicle--against the agent. Training and tactics should focus on avoiding positions that put agents in the path of a vehicle and getting out of the way of moving vehicles. Second, officers/agents should be prohibited from using deadly force against subjects throwing objects not capable of causing serious physical injury or death to them. Officers/agents should be trained to specific situations and scenarios that involve subjects throwing such objects. The training should emphasize pre-deployment strategies, the use of cover and concealment, maintaining safe distances, equipping vehicles and boats with protective cages and/or screening, de-escalation strategies, and where reasonable the use of less-lethal devices. Because these changes are significant departures from current practice CBP will need to craft an implementation strategy for re-orientation and training before new policies go into effect. Consideration should be give to assembling an expert panel to interact with members of CBP from all levels of the organization for discussion about the transition to the new policies and practices. There are several areas where CBP is engaged in best policing practices. Firearms qualification occurs four times a year. According to policy, exemptions are limited. This practice is critical given the environment in which CBP officers/agents work. In addition, CBP is to be commended for implementing a new incident mapping software program. This system allows examination of use of force and other incidents at both a highly detailed level and at a more macro level. This system will provide graphic support for leaders to spot trends and make strategic changes. CBP also has produced a very useful quick-reference guide "Documenting the Use of Force." Policy changes restricting the use of deadly force against vehicles and rock throwers should be incorporated into the guide. Details: Washington, DC: Police Executive Research Forum, 2013. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 11. 2014 at http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/PERFReport.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/PERFReport.pdf Shelf Number: 132436 Keywords: Border Patrol, Use of ForcePolice Policies and PracticesPolice Use of ForcePolice Weapons |
Author: Iacobucci, Frank Title: Police Encounters with People in Crisis Summary: 1. On August 28, 2013, Chief of Police William Blair of the Toronto Police Service (TPS) requested that I undertake an independent review of the use of lethal force by the TPS, with a particular focus on encounters between police and what I refer to in this Report as "people in crisis." 2. By a person in crisis I mean a member of the public whose behaviour brings them into contact with police either because of an apparent need for urgent care within the mental health system, or because they are otherwise experiencing a mental or emotional crisis involving behaviour that is sufficiently erratic, threatening or dangerous that the police are called in order to protect the person or those around them. The term "person in crisis" includes those who are mentally ill as well as people who would be described by police as "emotionally disturbed." B. Mandate 3. My mandate as given to me by Chief Blair was to conduct an independent review of "the policies, practices and procedures of, and the services provided by, the TPS with respect to the use of lethal force or potentially lethal force, in particular in connection with encounters with persons who are or may be emotionally disturbed, mentally disturbed or cognitively impaired." 4. I was instructed by Chief Blair that the hallmark of my Review was intended to be its independence, and that the end result of the Review was to be a report, to be made public, setting out recommendations that will be used as a blueprint for the TPS in dealing with this serious and difficult issue in the future. I elaborate on the issue of independence in Chapter 2. 5. My mandate included reviewing the following topics: (i) TPS policies, procedures and practices; (ii) TPS training, and training at the Ontario Police College; (iii) equipment used by the TPS; (iv) psychological assessments and other evaluation of TPS police officers and officer candidates; (v) supervision and oversight; (vi) the role of the Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams (MCIT) currently employed by the TPS; (vii) the role of the TPS Emergency Task Force (ETF); (viii) best practices and precedents from major police forces internationally (in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and other jurisdictions) (ix) available studies, data and research; and (x) other related matters falling within the scope of the independent review. Details: Toronto: Toronto Police Service, 2014. 413p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 6, 2014 at: http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/publications/files/reports/police_encounters_with_people_in_crisis_2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Canada URL: http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/publications/files/reports/police_encounters_with_people_in_crisis_2014.pdf Shelf Number: 132913 Keywords: Mentally Ill OffendersPolice Policies and PracticesPolice TrainingPolice Use of Force (Canada)Policing Procedures |
Author: Great Britain. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Title: Increasing efficiency in the Police Service: The role of collaboration Summary: Police collaboration is not a new phenomenon. Forces in England and Wales have always looked to share resources and to outsource some parts of their business in order to increase their operational resilience. Sharing resources can also result in significant savings. This makes collaboration - whether with another force, the public or private sector - one option available to the police as they work to close the 20% savings requirement outlined in the October 2010 Spending Review (SR). However, when Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) last asked about this, only 29 of the 43 forces across England and Wales had identified how savings could be made through collaboration. HMIC therefore took a further snapshot of collaborative activity in winter 2011 to see if progress had been made. This report describes what we found, and includes the projected financial savings from collaborative activity over the spending review period - the first time these comparative data have been collected or published. It also includes case studies of how different forces are collaborating (and with whom); and provides data and analysis to enable forces and their governing bodies to make informed choices when considering the value of future collaborations. We end with some key questions that might be useful to forces in making these decisions. Details: London: HMIC, 2012. 79p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 11, 2015 at: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/media/increasing-efficiency-in-the-police-service.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/media/increasing-efficiency-in-the-police-service.pdf Shelf Number: 134594 Keywords: PartnershipsPolice CollaborationPolice EffectivenessPolice Policies and PracticesPolicing (U.K.)Resource Sharing |
Author: Bastick, Megan Title: Integrating Gender into Internal Police Oversight Summary: The guidance note is designed to assist those working at the strategic or management level in police services and in bodies that manage and oversee the police, as well as those supporting police reform and/or gender mainstreaming strategies, including OSCE staff. It is intended to serve as reference material for good policing practice, presenting strategies that might be adapted to the different contexts, needs and resources of different police services. This guidance note includes: - An overview of police oversight; - Discussion of why gender is important to police oversight; - Guidance as to how gender can be integrated into police oversight in a number of key areas; - A self-assessment tool for police services; and - A list of additional resources. Details: Geneva: DCAF, OSCE, OSCE/ODIHR, 2014. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 23, 2015 at: http://www.osce.org/odihr/118326?download=true Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.osce.org/odihr/118326?download=true Shelf Number: 134664 Keywords: Female Police OfficersGender-Based IssuesPolice AdministrationPolice OversightPolice Policies and PracticesPolice Reform |
Author: King, Denise Rodriguez Title: The Collaborative Reform Model: A Review of Use of Force Policies, Processes, and Practices in the Spokane Police Department Summary: The proper investigation and review of use of force (UOF) incidents, especially those involving deadly force, can have a significant impact on a police department's legitimacy and relationship with the community. The negative effects and impact of an improper investigation and limited transparency are most apparent in the Spokane Police Department's (SPD) investigation of the 2006 Otto Zehm deadly force incident. This incident created an uproar and conflict within the community, and it led to a federal investigation and a civil lawsuit. Six years after the incident, the civil lawsuit was settled, and the officer involved was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison. In spite of the settlement and sentencing of the officer, there is still an opinion within the community that the department has done little to change the internal culture that led to the officer's use of deadly force and the improper investigation of that force. Eight years after the Otto Zehm incident, the police-community relationship continues to be frayed. New leadership within the police department and an organizational restructuring are signs of positive progress; however, both the department and the community agree that continued change and improvement are needed to repair the scars left by events such as the 2006 deadly force incident. In fall 2012, Chief Frank Straub, only months after being sworn in as the new police chief, requested that the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) assess the SPD's use of force policies, processes, and practices. The COPS Office responded and tasked the CNA Corporation to conduct this assessment under the COPS Office's Collaborative Reform Initiative for Technical Assistance (CRI-TA) program. The goal of this review was to improve the use of force processes in the SPD, taking into account national standards, best practices, existing research, and community expectations. The objectives of the review were as follows: - Examine the SPD's use of force policies and procedures compared with national best practices and existing research, identify areas for improvement, and provide recommendations. - Analyze a sample of use of force investigation files from 2009 through 2013 and identify trends, strengths, and weaknesses. - Examine the role of the ombudsman in use of force investigations compared with national best practices and existing research. - Improve the SPD organization's culture as it relates to use of force, in order to build trust with the community. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2014. 132p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 9, 2015 at: http://ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-w0751-pub.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-w0751-pub.pdf Shelf Number: 134772 Keywords: Deadly ForcePolice LegitimacyPolice MisconductPolice Policies and PracticesPolice ReformPolice Use of Force (Spokane, Washington) |
Author: Grossman, Michele Title: Learning to Engage: A Review of Victoria Police Cross-Cultural Training Practices Summary: Victoria University's Centre for Cultural Diversity and Wellbeing undertook a Review of Victoria Police Cross-Cultural Training Practices in response to a tender request from Victoria Police issued in June 2013. The tender called for a review to develop analysis, benchmarking, findings and recommendations for Victoria Police to consider as it develops the cross-cultural education and training elements of its overall approach to effective policing for communities. The Review has produced the final Report summarised here, Learning to Engage: A Review of Victoria Police Cross-Cultural Training Practices. The following summary sets out the key areas covered by the Report, identifies key findings arising, and provides a Summary of Recommendations arising from the Review process. Background to the Review Victoria Police has in recent times invested significantly in recasting its education and training programs for police recruits and (more recently) PSO trainees to foster the alignment of its training approach with the goal of developing a professional, skilled and ethical police force that reflects a commitment to policing in the context of cultural and community diversity. Recent initiatives in Victoria Police education and training, particularly since 2009, have focused on enhancing police knowledge and skills in human rights, ethics, and cultural and community diversity. These efforts have been seen by many within both communities (as evidenced by the Community Consultation feedback, Chapter 3) and Victoria Police itself (as evidenced by police member interviews, Chapter 4) as an important series of 'first steps' on the road to realising Victoria Police's aspiration to 'get it right' in these areas. However, issues and concerns around cross-cultural training at Victoria Police have persisted for communities, and in particular culturally diverse communities, about the translation of knowledge into practice by front-line police when dealing with cultural diversity, and about the focus and effectiveness of the police training and education that is offered in the cross-cultural domain, particularly with respect to the topics of racism, implicit bias and racial profiling. This Review has sought to respond to these concerns while recognising that Victoria Police has already taken important steps toward addressing these concerns through various organisational reforms and activities connected to education and professional development. These include the implementation and roll-out of the Victoria Police Human Rights Project; the development of Police Academy modules dealing specifically with policing, human rights, and cross-cultural knowledge and skills within the Foundation Training program; new programs for training and developing supervisors and managers on community and diversity issues at station and regional leadership levels; and the agreement to consult widely with communities on field contact and cross-cultural training policy and procedures as part of the 2013 Federal race discrimination court settlement in the Haile-Michael case, out of which this Review has arisen. In addition, there have already been substantial transformations proposed for how education and training within Victoria Police is designed, delivered and evaluated for effectiveness, particularly in the context of education and training delivered for recruits, Probationary Constables and PSOs, as reflected in the Victoria Police Education Master Plan: Learning and Development to 2020 and the associated reviews of related education, training and community engagement issues and strategies discussed in Chapter 2, 'Organisational Strategic Environment'. Taken together, these indicate that Victoria Police is well positioned to continue to build on existing strengths and initiatives that improve and extend the design, delivery and outcome of cross-cultural education and training for its members across the organisation. The current Review and the Report it has produced are intended to contribute further to these goals. Details: Melbourne: Victoria University,Centre for Cultural Diversity and Wellbeing 2013. 208p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 16, 2015 at: http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?a=internetBridgingPage&Media_ID=99359 Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?a=internetBridgingPage&Media_ID=99359 Shelf Number: 134943 Keywords: Diversity TrainingPolice EducationPolice Policies and PracticesPolice Training (Australia)Police-Community Relations |
Author: Switzer, Merlin E. Title: Grass Valley Police Department Organizational Assessment of Recruitment and Retention Practices Summary: The Grass Valley Police Department provides law enforcement and community policing services to the City of Grass Valley. The department also administers animal control responsibilities for the City of Grass Valley and extending service to nearby Nevada City on a contractual basis. The department has thirty sworn personnel consisting of the Chief, two Captains, four Sergeants, and twenty one officers. The department has eleven and one-half non-sworn employees. Included are one dispatch supervisor, six dispatchers, one administrative aide, one administrative clerk, one community services officer, one parking enforcement officer, one police records clerk and one part-time clerical position. Animal Control has three full-time personnel consisting of one animal control supervisor and two animal control officers. Each year the department provides annual goal statements in their Grass Valley Police Department Goals and Action Plan document. In the Fiscal Year 2006-07 statement, a goal was set by the department to "Conduct Team Building Workshop with police management team to refine organizational strategies that will improve our service delivery to the public." A second goal was to "Enhance recruitment and testing processes to fill personnel vacancies." Switzer Associates...Leadership Solutions was retained to facilitate a Team Building Workshop (TBW) and conduct an organizational assessment of the recruitment and retention practices of the department to determine what steps could be taken to improve recruitment and retention. The Team Building Workshop (TBW) was held in August. In preparation for the workshop, the leadership team participated in a Team Building Assessment. This assessment identified a number of organizational areas that needed to be addressed by the team. At the TBW, the team worked hard to develop a team vision, principles and guiding behaviors. As part of the organizational assessment a Recruitment and Retention Assessment (survey) was developed and made available to all employees and volunteers. The focus of the assessment was to explore employee perceptions regarding employment factors associated with retention and recruitment. It is important to note that sworn employees are currently in the negotiation process and are without a contract. This can impact survey responses, as well as the mood and perspective of employees within an organization. Preliminary results from the Recruitment and Retention Assessment were provided to the leadership team at the TBW. The leadership team developed action plans to address issues raised by employees. Interviews were also conducted with employees who have left the department in the past two years, as well as interviews with current employees who are anticipated to leave in the near future. Along with interviews and surveys, contact was made with comparable police agencies in the region and relevant department documents/reports were analyzed. This remainder of this report is divided into the following sections: Section Two will focus on recruitment and retention planning. Increasingly, recruitment and retention must have executive involvement and sponsorship. Section Three will review the department's recruitment strategies. Strategies must be carefully selected and evaluated to ensure they are delivering optimal results. Section Four will assess the selection process. Maintaining a current and competitive process is important. Section Five will focus on retention issues in the department. The results of the organizational assessment will be reviewed. Section Six will summarize the department comparison survey. Seven other departments were surveyed. The comparison agencies include: Truckee, Auburn, Placerville, Marysville, and Lincoln Police Departments, the Placer County Sheriffs Office and Nevada County Sheriff's Offices. At the end of each of Sections Two - Six recommendations are included. Details: Grass Valley, CA: Grass Valley Police Department, 2006. 53p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 1, 2015 at: http://www.cityofgrassvalley.com/files-archived/agendas/staff_reports/92006AGENDA/GVPDSWITRPT.pdf Year: 2006 Country: United States URL: http://www.cityofgrassvalley.com/files-archived/agendas/staff_reports/92006AGENDA/GVPDSWITRPT.pdf Shelf Number: 135126 Keywords: Community PolicingPolice PersonnelPolice Policies and PracticesPolice Recruitment and Selection |
Author: Composite Project Title: Policing Opportunities and Threats Summary: This report's aim is twofold: (1) to develop an overall picture of the policing environment, with an extra emphasis on the role of external parties, in ten European countries; and (2) to engage in a cross-country comparison. This report is largely based on 441 interviews with police officers and knowledgeable external stakeholders (such as journalists, trade union representatives, members of the public prosecution, mayors, et cetera) who have been interviewed in the period between January and May 2011 in ten countries: Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Republic of Macedonia, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Although this report cannot but offer a snapshot in time, as all cross-section environmental analyses do by definition, it provides an interesting diagnosis of current and future trends in European policing from the perspective of 441 representatives of external and internal parties active in the European policing field of 2011. Details: Composite Project (Comparative Police Studies in the EU), 2011. 86p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 24, 2015 at: http://www.composite-project.eu/tl_files/fM_k0005/download/Brochure%20WP1.2[1].pdf Year: 2011 Country: Europe URL: http://www.composite-project.eu/tl_files/fM_k0005/download/Brochure%20WP1.2[1].pdf Shelf Number: 135387 Keywords: Police Policies and PracticesPolicing (Europe) |
Author: American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois Title: Racial Disparity in Consent Searches and Dog Sniff Searches: An analysis of Illinois traffic stop data from 2013 Summary: Throughout Illinois, there is a dramatic racial disparity in police use of so-called "consent searches" and dog sniff searches during routine traffic stops. This is shown by a decade of government data about consent searches collected and published under the Illinois Traffic Stop Statistical Study Act of 2003 ("Study Act"), and the first two years of such data regarding dog sniff searches. For example, the recently published 2013 data shows that Illinois State Police ("ISP") troopers are 2 1/2 times more likely to consent search Hispanic motorists compared to white motorists, but white motorists are 2 1/2 times more likely than Hispanic motorists to be found with contraband during such ISP searches. Likewise, ISP troopers are more than twice as likely to dog sniff Hispanic motorists compared to white motorists, yet white motorists are 64% more likely than Hispanic motorists to be found with contraband during a trooper's search based on a dog alert. These disparities are a clear sign that the ISP's threshold to conduct consent searches and dog sniff searches is far lower for Hispanic motorists than for white motorists. Such racial disparate impact against black and Hispanic motorists likewise exists statewide, and in stops by the Chicago Police Department and other local and county police agencies. This ACLU of Illinois report begins with a brief discussion of the Study Act, upon which this report is based. It then presents findings of substantial and ongoing racial disparate impact in the use of consent searches and dog sniff searches during routine traffic stops. Details: Chicago: ACLU of Illinois, 2014. 7p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 30, 2015 at: http://www.aclu-il.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ACLU-IL-report-re-ITSSSA-data-in-2013.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.aclu-il.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ACLU-IL-report-re-ITSSSA-data-in-2013.pdf Shelf Number: 135431 Keywords: Dog Sniff Searches (Illinois)Police DogsPolice Policies and PracticesRacial DisparitiesStop and SearchTraffic Stops |
Author: Bruce, David Title: A 'Third Umpire' for Policing in South Africa: Applying Body Cameras in the Western Cape Summary: Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are rapidly changing the way governments, public agencies and people interact. With the advent and spread of technologies - especially wireless connectivity and wearables - new forms of communication and information exchange are possible. In best case scenarios, these can expand the range of options and opportunities for civic engagement across political, economic and social dimensions. Not surprisingly, technological innovations are having a profound effect on the form and content of policing. But what are the possibilities for the use of these new technologies for improving law enforcement in the global South? A new initiative led by the Brazil-based Igarape Institute is testing this question. It involves police and civil society groups in Brazil and South Africa and is exploring how new technologies can improve the oversight and accountability of police. The initiative is called "smart policing". Details: Rio de Janeiro: Igarape Institute, 2015. 33p. Source: Internet Resource: Strategic Paper 14: Accessed May 20, 2015 at: http://www.apcof.org/files/694_smart_policing%20_in%20_south%20africa.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Brazil URL: http://www.apcof.org/files/694_smart_policing%20_in%20_south%20africa.pdf Shelf Number: 135718 Keywords: Body-Worn CamerasPolicePolice AccountabilityPolice CommunicationPolice Policies and PracticesPolice Technology |
Author: Police Executive Research Forum Title: Use of Force Policy and Practices Study for Cleveland Division of Police Summary: The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) was retained by the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) to conduct a comprehensive review of the Division's policies and practices related to the use of force. This study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, PERF subject matter experts reviewed all of the Division's written policies and procedures related to the use of force, recommended changes where appropriate, and then evaluated policy changes made by the Division. The purpose of the review was to recommend that the Division implement use of force policies and procedures that were in line with current best practices. The following policies were designated by the Police Division for PERF review: - Standard Operating Procedure Manual: The Use of Deadly Force Investigation Team (UDFIT Manual) - GPO 1.1.22 Deadly Force Investigation Team (UDFIT) - GPO 1.3.16 Integrity Control Section Call-up Teams - GPO 2.1.01 Use of Force - GPO 2.1.02 Beanbag Shotguns - GPO 2.1.03 Firearm Discharge Investigations - GPO 2.1.04 Animal Incidents - GPO 2.1.05 Weapon Clearing Trap (Device used to safely clear weapons). - GPO 2.1.06 Taser - Electronic Control Device (ECD) The policy review and development process was conducted over a period beginning in January 2012 and concluding in September 2012. Working meetings were held with CDP officials to review existing policies, deliberate on potential use of force policy changes, review and discuss PERF's recommended changes, then review and formalize policy changes made by the CDP. The second phase of the study, which began in September of 2012, evaluated how the Division currently manages department processes that affect use of force practices, and the extent to which CDP has implemented use of force policies, procedures, directives and training. During this phase, PERF staff met with members of the CDP; subject matter experts evaluated the Division's use of force training, reporting, supervision, and investigations; and national law enforcement leaders facing similar challenges as in Cleveland were brought in to provide consultation for the Mayor and key appointees and the command staff of the Cleveland Division of Police. PERF's findings and recommendations are described in this report. The intended outcome of the study is to provide the Division with a roadmap to evaluate and strengthen (where necessary) how the Division controls and manages the use of force by officers. PERF performed the following tasks for the collection of information related to CDP's use of force issues: 1. An examination of existing policies related to police use of force. 2. Use of the following policy modification process - PERF made recommendations to revise existing use of force policies; those recommendations were reviewed by the CDP; the Division revised policies as they deemed appropriate; PERF performed a second review and commented on the modified policies; all input was used by the CDP to finalize changes to policies. 3. A review of a sample of use of use of force reports filed by Cleveland police officers. 4. An examination of a sample of internal investigation reports regarding the use of force. 5. Interviews with supervisory and command level personnel regarding use of force training, reporting, supervision, investigations and aftercare. Details: Washington, DC: PERF, 2013. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed May 26, 2015 at: http://archive.wkyc.com/assetpool/documents/130828031751_Use%20of%20Force%20Report.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://archive.wkyc.com/assetpool/documents/130828031751_Use%20of%20Force%20Report.pdf Shelf Number: 129787 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice MisconductPolice Policies and PracticesPolice Use of Force |
Author: Boyce, Jillian Title: Mental health and contact with police in Canada, 2012 Summary: Canadians can come into contact with the police for a variety of reasons, not all of which are criminal in nature. Previous research has indicated that most people with a mental health disorder do not commit criminal acts; however, contact with police is common among this population (Brink et al. 2011; Coleman and Cotton 2014). Furthermore, the frequency of such interactions has been said to be on the rise in recent decades given policy and legislative changes (Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division 2005; Vancouver Police Department 2013; Lurigio and Watson 2010). For instance, while the process of deinstitutionalization shifted the treatment of mental health disorders from a hospital setting to a community setting, it has been argued that community based supports may not have expanded at the same capacity to make up for the loss of institutional services, which can leave police as the first responders in crisis situations or after regular health facility hours (Coleman and Cotton 2014; Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division 2005). Information on police interactions with people who have a mental health disorder is a priority for various reasons. Firstly, they can be among the most unpredictable and dangerous situations to which officers must respond, and can be equally, if not more, dangerous for the person with the disorder (Chappell 2008; Kerr et al. 2010; Coleman and Cotton 2014; Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division 2005). Secondly, while the majority of such interactions are handled without harm to the officer or the person with a disorder, these interactions can be quite time-consuming, often utilizing a large portion of resources not only from police services, but from the health and social sectors as well (Lurigio and Watson 2010). Currently in Canada there is no standardized framework or guidelines for collecting data on police interactions with people who have a mental health disorder. While some police services independently publish figures on this subject, much of it is not comparable across the various jurisdictions due to differences in definitions, as well as differences in the methods used to collect the information. In the absence of nationally representative data relating to individuals with a mental health disorder and their contact with police, the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey - Mental Health (CCHS-MH) provides a starting point for filling this gap (see Text Box 1). The 2012 CCHS-MH represents the fourth CCHS cycle with a specialized focus (Statistics Canada 2013). While there was a previous focused cycle in 2002 on the mental health and well-being of Canadians, most disorders measured in the 2012 CCHS-MH are not comparable to the disorders measured by the survey in 2002 (Pearson et al. 2013). In addition, questions about respondents' contact with police were not asked in 2002. This Juristat article utilizes data from the 2012 CCHS-MH to report on the prevalence of mental and/or substance use disorders in Canada in 2012, along with characteristics common among those with a mental or substance use disorder. In addition, it examines in detail the type and frequency of contact that those with a disorder have with police, and how that contact differs from those without a disorder. Details: Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2015. 25p. Source: Internet Resource: Juristat 35, no. 1: Accessed June 3, 2015 at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2015001/article/14176-eng.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Canada URL: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2015001/article/14176-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 135855 Keywords: Mental HealthMentally Ill PersonsPolice Policies and PracticesPolice Services for the Mentally Ill |
Author: Croslin, Chike Title: Independent Lens: Toward Transparency, Accountability, and Effectiveness in Police Tactics, Summary: Mandating that police wear body-worn cameras can help to improve relations between police and communities, and ensure greater accountability for police actions. But these requirements must be carefully and thoughtfully implemented within a much wider set of policy and practical policing reforms. These are the conclusions drawn from a new report released by the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice titled Independent Lens: Toward Transparency, Accountability, and Effectiveness in Police Tactics, that explores the potential and limitations of body-worn cameras for police. Recent police shootings of unarmed civilians, incidents of police misconduct, high levels of complaints against police, and costly settlements have highlighted the divisions that exist between police and residents, and the lack of trust that frequently exists between police and the communities they serve, particularly communities of color. In response, many are calling for new laws to require police officers to wear body-worn cameras to record their interactions with the public. Because this technology is relatively new and still largely untested, there exist myriad questions about the legality, usefulness, and effectiveness of such requirements" Independent Lens takes a close look at these questions, and concludes that body-worn cameras, when appropriately integrated into existing police practices and supported by a detailed regulatory architecture, can be a key tool for reinvigorating community policing and reducing costs stemming from complaints, litigation, and settlements." However, the report also cautions policymakers of the limitations of body-worn camera technology. Such devices do not address the need for deeper reforms within police departments, such as additional training of police officers, greater monitoring of the effects of implicit racial bias, and shifts in agency incentive structures away from arrests and toward greater public safety. Details: Cambridge, MA: Harvard Black Law Students Association, 2015. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 15, 2015 at: http://www.charleshamiltonhouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Independent-Lens-Cvr-Guts.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.charleshamiltonhouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Independent-Lens-Cvr-Guts.pdf Shelf Number: 136073 Keywords: Body-Worn CamerasPolice LegitimacyPolice MisconductPolice Policies and PracticesPolice Use of ForcePolice-Community Relations |
Author: Brooks, Oona Title: Dual reports of domestic abuse made to the police in Scotland: A summary of findings from a pilot research study Summary: This research summary highlights findings from a pilot study that used Scottish police data to undertake exploratory analysis of 'dual reports' of domestic abuse. Dual reports occur when both parties in a relationship are reported to the police as perpetrators of domestic abuse at the same time. This means that both partners are reported simultaneously as the perpetrator and the victim of domestic abuse. Dual reports present a particular challenge to both conventional understandings of domestic abuse and the police response to these offences. The pilot study examined the nature of dual report incidents, how common they are, and how the police respond to these incidents. Details: Dundee: Scottish Institute for Policing Research, School of Social Sciences, University of Dundee, 2015. 5p. Source: Internet Resource: SIPR Research Summary No: 23: Accessed August 14, 2015 at: http://www.sccjr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Research_Summary_23.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.sccjr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Research_Summary_23.pdf Shelf Number: 136411 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolencePolice Policies and PracticesPolice Response |
Author: Thurau, Lisa H. Title: First, Do No Harm: Model Practices for Law Enforcement Agencies When Arresting Parents in the Presence of Children Summary: One of the most traumatic events a child can experience is the arrest of a parent. In the short-term, children whose parents are arrested experience the trauma of the arrest itself and often the stress of changes to their living situation. In the long-term, they grapple with a range of trauma-induced physical and mental health issues, which can lead to negative academic, behavioral and justice system outcomes. These outcomes harm not only the children involved but also society as a whole, which misses out on potential productivity and must devote more resources to schools, social services, law enforcement and courts. Law enforcement agencies are in a unique position to limit this harm in three key ways. First, they can modify their procedures to make arrests less traumatic for children. Second, they can adopt protocols to ensure children are accounted for, left with competent caregivers and otherwise protected from harm in the aftermath of a parental arrest. Third, they can collaborate with social workers and child advocates to connect children of arrested parents with the services they need. This report outlines several model practices that law enforcement agencies can use to translate these three broad possibilities into effective policies and practices. Details: Washington, DC: OJP Diagnostic Center, 2015. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 26, 2015 at: https://www.ojpdiagnosticcenter.org/sites/default/files/custom_content/documents/engagement_documents/First_Do_No_Harm_20150528.pdf Year: 0 Country: United States URL: https://www.ojpdiagnosticcenter.org/sites/default/files/custom_content/documents/engagement_documents/First_Do_No_Harm_20150528.pdf Shelf Number: 136595 Keywords: Children of Prisoners Police Policies and Practices |
Author: Lopez, James R. Title: Body Cameras and CBP: Promoting Security, Transparency and Accountability at out Nation's Borders Summary: Body Cameras and CBP: Promoting Security, Transparency and Accountability at our Nation's Borders debuts in advance of an expected CBP announcement on the feasibility and implementation of body cameras. The report examines the benefits of requiring body-worn cameras for all CBP agents and officers, as well as the privacy concerns for the public and for the agency related to implementing body cameras. After conducting a feasibility study in early 2015, CBP has been slow to move forward with implementation of body-worn cameras. For an agency in which more than 2,000 incidents of misconduct were reported over a seven-year period, implementation of body-worn cameras across CBP would be a significant step toward repairing the agency's image. Details: Washington, DC: National Immigration Forum, 2015. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 16, 2015 at: http://immigrationforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Body-Cameras-and-CBP-Report-11062015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://immigrationforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Body-Cameras-and-CBP-Report-11062015.pdf Shelf Number: 137768 Keywords: Body-Worn Cameras Border GuardsBorder SecurityPolice Accountability Police Policies and Practices Police Technology |
Author: Police Executive Research Forum Title: Constitutional Policing as a Cornerstone of Community Policing Summary: The last year and a half have been the most challenging for policing in recent memory. The events in Ferguson, Missouri, sparked a wave of protests across the country, and subsequent uses of police force in other cities kept policing practices at the forefront of the national consciousness. This challenge has also been an opportunity for law enforcement - an opportunity to both effect positive change within the profession and find new ways to strengthen relationships between police departments and the communities that they serve. On December 11, 2014, the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), convened a conference in Washington, D.C., entitled "Constitutional Policing as a Cornerstone of Community Policing." Police executives, federal officials, academics, and civil rights leaders came together at this one-day conference to develop strategies for promoting constitutional policing as part of the day-to-day work of policing. At its most fundamental, constitutional policing is legal policing - that is, policing that operates within the parameters set by the U.S. Constitution, state constitutions, the body of court decisions that have interpreted and spelled out in greater detail what the text of the Constitution means in terms of the everyday practices of policing. Which constitutional issues are most important for policing today? One way of answering that question is to identify the policies and practices that most frequently are called into question from a constitutional standpoint. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2015. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 1, 2015 at: http://ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-p324-pub.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-p324-pub.pdf Shelf Number: 137415 Keywords: Community PolicingPolice LegitimacyPolice Policies and PracticesPolice-Community Relations |
Author: New York City Police Department Title: Broken Windows and Quality-of-Life Policing in New York City Summary: VIBRANT AND DENSE, New York City is inhabited by people from every continent and every country, speaking every language in every accent, representing every culture and every creed. It "orbits around eight million centers of the universe," as New York's poet laureate Billy Collins once wrote. Today that figure is closer to 8.4 million, and doesn't include the additional millions who come each day, to work, or visit, or otherwise enjoy America's greatest city. Mayor Bill de Blasio and I have pledged to make a safer, fairer city for residents and visitors alike, and this report describes one of the main tools for doing so: quality-of-life policing. Details: New York: NYPD, 2015. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 3, 2015 at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/analysis_and_planning/qol.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/analysis_and_planning/qol.pdf Shelf Number: 137429 Keywords: Broken WindowsPolice EffectivenessPolice PerformancePolice Policies and PracticesPolicingUrban Areas |
Author: Hashimi, Sadaf Title: "On to the next one:" Using social network data to inform police target prioritization Summary: As part of the portfolio of strategies used to achieve crime reductions, law enforcement agencies routinely establish a list of offenders to be targeted as priorities. Rarely considered, however, is the fact that targets are embedded in larger social networks. These networks are a rich resource to be exploited as they facilitate: 1) efficient prioritization by understanding which offenders have access to more resources in the network, and 2) assessments of the impact of intervention strategies. Drawing from law enforcement data, the personal networks of two mutually connected police targets from a mid-size city in British Columbia, Canada were constructed. Results show that of the 101 associates in their combined network, 50 percent have a crime-affiliated attribute. The network further divides into seven distinct communities, ranging from four to 25 members. Membership to these communities suggests how opportunities, criminal and non-criminal, form and are more likely to occur within one's immediate network of associates as opposed to the larger network. As such, seven key players that have the highest propensity to facilitate crime-like behaviours are identified via a measure of "network capital," and located within the communities for informed target selection. Details: Burnaby, BC: Simon Fraser University, 2015. 104p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed January 12, 2016 at: http://summit.sfu.ca/item/15667 Year: 2015 Country: Canada URL: http://summit.sfu.ca/item/15667 Shelf Number: 137469 Keywords: Communities Deterrence Intelligence-led policing Police Policies and PracticesSocial Network Analysis |
Author: Cloud, David Title: First Do No Harm: Advancing Public Health in Policing Practices Summary: Millions of medically vulnerable and socially marginalized people cycle through the criminal justice system each year due to serious structural problems entrenched in American society. The absence of a coherent and effective social safety net means that people lack access to physical and mental health care, social services, and housing options in their communities. This report, First Do No Harm: Advancing Public Health in Policing Practices, details the cultural divide among system actors that amplify and sustain these problems and offers recommendations on how law enforcement policymakers and practitioners - in collaboration with public health officials and harm reduction advocates - can enhance both public safety and community health. Details: New York: Vera Institute of Justice, 2015. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 13, 2016 at: http://www.vera.org/sites/default/files/resources/downloads/public-health-and-policing-v2.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.vera.org/sites/default/files/resources/downloads/public-health-and-policing-v2.pdf Shelf Number: 137570 Keywords: Mentally Ill PersonsPolice Policies and PracticesPolice Services for the Mentally IllPublic Health |
Author: Norton, Blake Title: An Assessment of the St. Louis County Police Department. Collaborative Reform Initiative Summary: The nation was jarred by events that occurred in 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri; Staten Island, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; and in 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. These events - which followed officer-involved incidents in these American cities and around the nation - exposed deep divides between communities and their police departments. As the discord reached a fever pitch, law enforcement agencies nationwide began the process of self-evaluation, reflecting on policies and practices and implementing innovative strategies to better engender community policing principles, build trust, and allay fear. The St. Louis County Police Department (SLCPD), with 8551 authorized sworn commissioned officer positions, is responsible for providing police services to an estimated population of approximately 407,000 county residents. The population served increases to approximately 1 million when accounting for the fact that the department also provides contracted law enforcement services to 66 municipalities, 12 school districts, and five other organizations within the county. The department provides both full service contracts - in which the SLCPD is the sole police agency for a municipality and provides all police services - and dedicated patrol contracts that require the SLCPD to provide requested police services. Approximately 60 departments in the St. Louis region serve 90 municipalities. These 60 departments possess widely differing resources, and they provide protection across significantly diverse geographic and demographic communities. This amalgam of departments also creates a web of overlapping jurisdictions, policies, and practices. In addition, the SLCPD operates the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy (CMPA), a regional police training facility that provides training to many law enforcement agencies in the area. Finally, mutual aid agreements in the region allow Missouri officers to respond to emergencies outside of their jurisdictions. This interdependent yet fragmented approach to policing in the area creates challenges for the SLCPD in building trusting relationships with the community. The relationship each independent municipal police department has with its community directly affects the relationship the SLCPD has with the community at large. In its civil rights investigation of the Ferguson Police Department (FPD),6 the U.S. Department of Justice found heavy police enforcement existed to generate revenue through fines and fees. This culture of heavy, sometime "aggressive," enforcement has led to strained community relations because of abusive policing and municipal court practices beyond just the FPD. The consequence for the SLCPD is a lack of trust by the community that exacerbated tensions during demonstrations following the shooting death of Michael Brown. For this reason, Chief Jon Belmar of the SLCPD requested the assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) in identifying ways that the SLCPD could improve its relationship with the St. Louis community. The COPS Office and the SLCPD established the following goals to assess and reform the policies, practices, and related processes in the SLCPD, taking into account national standards, best practices, current and emerging research, and community expectations: - Improve the recruitment, selection, and hiring processes to address minority underrepresentation in the department (chapter 4). - Enhance basic academy and supervisor in-service training with a specific focus on fair and impartial policing, community engagement, and partnership development (chapters 5-7). - Strengthen the policies, practices, training, and response for handling protests and mass demonstrations, including de-escalation training (chapter 8). - Improve the process quality for traffic stops and searches to prohibit racial profiling (chapter 9). - Reduce use of force and injuries to both officers and citizens (chapters 10-11). - Develop a comprehensive communication strategy for SLCPD personnel and community partners that will serve to increase transparency about SLCPD police practices (chapter 12). Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2015. 182p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 21, 2016 at: http://ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-p316-pub.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-p316-pub.pdf Shelf Number: 137581 Keywords: Community-Oriented PolicingPolice AdministrationPolice LegitimacyPolice Policies and PracticesPolice ReformPolice-Community RelationsPolicing |
Author: Police Executive Research Forum Title: Use of Force: Taking Policing to a Higher Standards. 30 Guiding Principles Summary: The policies, training, tactics, and recommendations for equipment detailed in this document amount to significant, fundamental changes in a police department's operations and culture. It is important that these changes be undertaken in a comprehensive manner, and not in a piecemeal or haphazard way. The policy changes must be backed up with thorough, integrated retraining of all officers. These changes have implications for officer safety. This approach can increase officer safety, as well as the safety of community members, by teaching officers how to "slow down" some incidents and avoid escalating situations to the point where officers or members of the public are endangered. But to better protect officers, agencies must provide comprehensive new training, new tactical skills, and new equipment to support the new policies. Details: Washington, DC: PERF, 2016. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: Critical Issues in Policing Series: Accessed February 17, 2016 at : http://www.policeforum.org/assets/30%20guiding%20principles.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://www.policeforum.org/assets/30%20guiding%20principles.pdf Shelf Number: 137871 Keywords: Police DiscretionPolice Policies and PracticesPolice TrainingPolice Use of Force |
Author: van der Laan, Franca Title: The Future of Police Missions Summary: The current security situation in the world, and specifically the zones of instability that surround and affect Europe, provide the Netherlands with many good reasons to contribute police capabilities to international crisis management missions. The EU, UN and OSCE struggle with both quantitative and qualitative personnel shortages when it comes to deploying police in missions. In qualitative terms, the increasing complexity of police mandates in missions, the multi-dimensional approach to security sector reform and other forms of crisis management and the shift of attention from observation and monitoring missions to mentoring, training, and capacity-building missions asks for high quality experts and senior leaders. NATO will continue to need police capabilities that can operate under a military command structure for the performance of its executive police duties, and, in exceptional cases, for urgent SSR tasks, in conflict situations where no other actors are present that can take up these tasks. Providing that the efforts in creating stability are successful, police deployment in multilateral operations abroad can prevent or reduce future spill-over effects from the crises these operations address. With both the Royal Marechaussee and the Netherlands' Police as donor organisations, the Netherlands has a broad and well developed policing toolkit that can in many ways meet, or adapt to, the demand of the IOs. In order to match the increasing demand for police contributions, increasing the contribution of NP and/ or KMar staff to multilateral operations should be taken into consideration. The study argues to focus these contributions on a set of niches that fits both the IOs' demand and national (security) policy objectives. More specialisation can enhance the quality of deployed staff or teams, it can streamline the relative competency discussion between the KMar and NP and it would sharpen the profile of the Netherlands as a supplier of policing capabilities. Details: The Hague: The Clingendael Institute, 2016. 141p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 19, 2016 at: http://www.clingendael.nl/sites/default/files/The%20Future%20of%20Police%20Missions.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Netherlands URL: http://www.clingendael.nl/sites/default/files/The%20Future%20of%20Police%20Missions.pdf Shelf Number: 137921 Keywords: Crisis ManagementNational SecurityPolice EffectivenessPolice Policies and PracticesPolicing |
Author: U.S. Department of Justice Title: Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias in Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Summary: The Department of Justice (department) is committed to assisting law enforcement agencies in their efforts to reduce sexual assault and domestic violence, and to administer justice when these crimes occur. Through the department's many partnerships with state, local, tribal and territory law enforcement agencies (collectively, law enforcement agencies or LEAs), the department has recognized that many agencies are striving to improve their response to allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence, and are seeking assistance and support for these efforts. This guidance document is intended to reflect and further the department's partnership with the police leaders, line officers and detectives who work tirelessly to ensure that policing is free from bias and to uphold the civil and human rights of the communities they serve. The department extends its appreciation to the many police leaders and experts on law enforcement responses to sexual assault and domestic violence who worked with us to develop this guidance and provided us with helpful comments and suggestions. One critical part of improving LEAs' response to allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence is identifying and preventing gender bias in policing practices. Gender bias in policing practices is a form of discrimination that may result in LEAs providing less protection to certain victims on the basis of gender, failing to respond to crimes that disproportionately harm people of a particular gender or offering reduced or less robust services due to a reliance on gender stereotypes. Gender bias, whether explicit or implicit, conscious or unconscious, may include police officers misclassifying or underreporting sexual assault or domestic violence cases, or inappropriately concluding that sexual assault cases are unfounded; failing to test sexual assault kits; interrogating rather than interviewing victims and witnesses; treating domestic violence as a family matter rather than a crime; failing to enforce protection orders; or failing to treat same-sex domestic violence as a crime. In the sexual assault and domestic violence context, if gender bias influences the initial response to or investigation of the alleged crime, it may compromise law enforcement's ability to ascertain the facts, determine whether the incident is a crime, and develop a case that supports effective prosecution and holds the perpetrator accountable. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 2015. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 10, 2016 at: https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/799366/download Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/799366/download Shelf Number: 138163 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceGender-Related BiasPolice Policies and PracticesPolice ResponseSexual Violence |
Author: Mitchell, Nicholas E. Title: 2015 Annual Report Summary: The OIM is charged with monitoring the disciplinary systems in the Denver Police and Denver Sheriff Departments ("DPD" and "DSD," respectively), making policy recommendations to those departments, and conducting outreach to communities throughout Denver. The OIM is led by Independent Monitor Nicholas E. Mitchell, and advised by a seven member Citizen Oversight Board. The 2015 Annual Report includes information about complaints received, closed and monitored by the OIM in 2015. It also includes the OIM's assessment of several recent changes to DPD's policies, practices or training, including its policies on body worn cameras, shooting into moving vehicles, early intervention, and racial profiling. "The DPD made significant strides in 2015 by revising important policies to bring them in line with national best practices," said Independent Monitor Mitchell. The 2015 Annual Report also presents two subjects about which the OIM believes there are opportunities for improvement. Electronic databases, including the National Crime Information Center and the Colorado Crime Information Center ("NCIC/CCIC"), are important tools that DPD officers use every day solve crimes, apprehend fugitives, recover stolen property, and otherwise keep Denver's residents safe. By-and-large, DPD officers faithfully adhere to the requirement that the NCIC/CCIC databases must only be used for law enforcement purposes. Yet, when officers do misuse NCIC/CCIC for non law enforcement purposes, they are generally issued reprimands rather than stronger discipline. "These databases contain vast amounts of personal information about the American public, including community members in Denver," said Mr. Mitchell. "When they are misused, reprimands are not commensurate with the seriousness of that violation, and may not be strong enough to deter future abuse." The Annual Report recommends that the penalties for misuse of NCIC/CCIC should be strengthened within the disciplinary matrix that is maintained by the Executive Director of Safety. The Report also highlights the current gap in DPD policy and training on what kinds of force are permissible or effective to remove potential contraband from the mouth of an arrestee who is attempting to swallow it. The Report recommends that the DPD clarify its use of force policy, and specifically prohibit the use of strikes to remove potential contraband from the mouth of a person being placed under arrest. Details: Denver: Office of the Independent Monitor, 2016. 144p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2016 at: https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/374/documents/2015%20Annual%20Report%20Final.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/374/documents/2015%20Annual%20Report%20Final.pdf Shelf Number: 138333 Keywords: Complaints Against PolicePolice AccountabilityPolice DisciplinePolice Policies and PracticesPolice TechnologyPolice Use of ForceSheriffs |
Author: Flanagan, Andrew Title: Review of Governance in Policing: To Cabinet Secretary for Justice Summary: Andrew Flanagan, Chair of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) has today made 30 recommendations for improvement in the practice of governance arrangements for policing in Scotland. Publishing his Review of Governance in Policing, which was commissioned by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice on 3 September 2015, Mr Flanagan's report concludes that having an arms-length body in the SPA providing a separation from politics and policing is an appropriate model for governing a national police service. His report recommends improvements to ensure representatives of local communities feel sufficiently listened to regarding local policing, are able to input effectively into the development of national policy issues, and have a way of recording their 'voice' on the quality and effectiveness of Police Scotland's engagement with them. The report's other main findings include: - SPA to strengthen its governance procedures and review with the Scottish Government and Police Scotland how working arrangements and protocols reinforce the positioning and authority of the SPA. - Clearer definition of the SPA's areas of responsibilities and how it conducts its business. - Review of the underlying systems and processes used by Police Scotland to provide information with a view to improving clarity and enhancing the quality of analysis and benchmarking. Details: Glasgow: Scottish Police Authority, 2016. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 16, 2016 at: http://www.spa.police.uk/assets/128635/337350/337362 Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.spa.police.uk/assets/128635/337350/337362 Shelf Number: 138693 Keywords: Police Policies and PracticesPolice-Community RelationsPolicing |
Author: Australian Federal Police Title: Review of Police Pursuits Conducted by ACT Policing in the Australian Capital Territory Summary: Background 1. On 17 April 2014 the Chief Police Officer for the ACT (CPOACT) established a Working Group and endorsed the Terms of Reference for a review of police pursuits conducted in the ACT by ACT Policing. 2. The Working Group was directed to provide advice and recommendations on the AFP's police pursuit governance, procedures and framework. In particular, an emphasis was to be placed on analysing recent pursuits in the ACT to fully explore whether AFP procedures provided appropriate protection to the community and police. 3. The Working Group was directed to provide an analysis of the adequacy of legislation surrounding pursuits, and if deemed deficient, to provide recommendation for legislative reform. Review Objective and Scope 4. The objective of the review was to evaluate the appropriateness of the governance, procedures and legislative framework of police pursuits. 5. In line with the Terms of Reference, the criteria established for review included: a. Current operational practices regarding police pursuits, with a focus on case studies b. Adequacy of current pursuit policy c. Compliance with workplace health and safety legislation, policy and practices d. Jurisdictional comparison to identify best practice e. Analysis of the sufficiency of legislation 6. The scope included an assessment of: a. Existing AFP governance framework b. State and Territory legislative framework, best practice and procedure c. Terms of Reference of the ACT Policing Police Pursuit Review Committee d. Coronial recommendations in recent pursuits 7. The scope included consultation with: a. Community groups or individuals affected by road trauma b. Key ACT Government stakeholders Key Findings 8. The current AFP governance framework surrounding pursuits provides the best protection for the community against the expectation that police will ensure the safety of all road users. The pursuit governance framework has withstood significant scrutiny, however should be continually reviewed to ensure compliance with best practice. 9. The ACT Government has demonstrated confidence in ACT Policing's pursuit governance, policy and procedures. 10. The existing pursuit reporting regime needs to be amended to capture additional data to support the work of the Police Pursuits Review Committee. 11. The Police Pursuit Review Committee is a key governance mechanism that must be retained and requires periodic review of its Terms of Reference. 12. Present legislation does not contain adequate penalties and deterrents for drivers who flee from police and does not sufficiently enable police to take strong action against drivers who engage in dangerous behaviour when fleeing from police. Overall Conclusion 13. ACT Policing has in place an adequate governance framework for conducting police pursuits within the ACT. 14. Notwithstanding this, this review should inform a continued best practice approach to police pursuit policy for ACT Policing. 15. The legislation in the ACT is deficient and does not deter individuals from initiating pursuits. Recommendations 16. The review has made 42 recommendations to the CPOACT which encompass amendments to AFP policy and procedure and reform to current ACT legislation. 17. Endorsement of all 42 recommendations will provide a contemporary evidence based legislation and governance framework which will achieve best practice and meet the needs of ACT Policing and the expectations of the ACT community. 18. The benefits to be realised from this review and subsequent endorsement of recommendations include: Risk: Reduce prevalence of fleeing drivers; Options: provide alternatives for police to not engage in pursuits; Legislation: adequate penalties and deterrence; Accountability: fleeing drivers will be identified; Deterrence: to deter drivers who may want to flee from police; Consequences: harsher penalties for the offence; Community safety: minimise risk to community; and Police officer safety: mitigate risks to officer safety. 19. The recommendations for legislative reform will impose significant penalties for drivers who flee from police, and have maximum impact to deter drivers fleeing from police. 20. The recommendations seek to implement strict and/or absolute liabilities for the identified vehicle, as is currently the case for traffic camera offences, by applying the same principles to the registered operator of a fleeing vehicle. 21. The recommendations seek to impose penalties on fleeing drivers similar in nature to the Road Transport (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1977 offence for Level 4 Prescribed Concentration of Alcohol (PCA). The level of risk posed to the community for a driver fleeing from police is comparable to a high-range PCA offence. 22. This review strongly recommends the following penalties for a first offender be imposed on the driver of the fleeing vehicle, or the registered operator of the fleeing vehicle who has refused or failed to identify the driver: 15 penalty units equivalent to a $2100 fine; Immediate Suspension Notice of three months with a court imposed minimum disqualification of six months and a default disqualification of three years; Court imposed maximum nine months imprisonment; and Seizure, for a period of three months, of the vehicle that was engaged in the pursuit. 23. This review strongly recommends the following penalties be imposed for a repeat offender on the driver of the fleeing vehicle, or the registered operator of the fleeing vehicle who has refused or failed to identify the driver: 20 penalty units equivalent to a $2800 fine; Immediate Suspension Notice of six months with a court imposed minimum disqualification of 12 months and a default disqualification of five years; Court imposed maximum 12 months imprisonment; and Seizure and subsequent forfeiture of the vehicle that was engaged in the pursuit. 24. It is incumbent on ACT Policing to work in partnership with ACT Government and key stakeholders to progress the recommended legislative reforms as a complete package so as to provide alternative options to police pursuits. Details: Canberra: AFP, 2015. 148p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 8, 2016 at: https://www.police.act.gov.au/sites/default/files/PDF/Review%20of%20police%20pursuits%20conducted%20by%20ACT%20Policing%20in%20the%20Australian%20Capital%20Territory.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: https://www.police.act.gov.au/sites/default/files/PDF/Review%20of%20police%20pursuits%20conducted%20by%20ACT%20Policing%20in%20the%20Australian%20Capital%20Territory.pdf Shelf Number: 145373 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice EffectivenessPolice Policies and PracticesPolice Pursuits |
Author: U.S. Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Title: An Assessment of the San Francisco Police Department. Collaborative Reform Initiative Summary: In response to requests from city officials who asked the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct an in-depth review of the policies and practices of the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), the COPS Office launched the Collaborative Reform Initiative for Technical Assistance (CRI-TA) with the SFPD. The COPS Office supports law enforcement agencies by implementing and sustaining reforms that increase public trust through improvements in community policing practices, transparency, professionalism, and accountability while taking into account national standards, promising practices, current and emerging research, and community expectations. Although the COPS Office found a department that is committed to making changes and working with the community, it also found a department with outdated use of force policies that fail the officers and the community and inadequate data collection that prevents leadership from understanding officer activities and ensure organizational accountability. The department lacked accountability measures to ensure that the department is being open and transparent while holding officers accountable. Disparities were found in traffic stops, post-stop searches, and use of deadly force against minorities. Altogether, the COPS Office identified 94 findings and developed 272 associated recommendations. This report is a road map to reform policing in San Francisco to conform to community expectations and improve public safety. This report summarizes the full assessment including findings and recommendations that will help the department modernize its policing practices and enhance community trust Details: Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2016. 432p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 13, 2016 at: https://ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-w0817-pub.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-w0817-pub.pdf Shelf Number: 145539 Keywords: Police AccountabilityPolice AdministrationPolice LegitimacyPolice PerformancePolice Policies and PracticesPolice ReformPolice Use of Force |
Author: Scott, Christopher Title: Patterns and Concentrations of Risk in Reported Police Pursuit Incidents in New Zealand Summary: Overseas pursuit research has grown since the 1980s and this research has identified crash risk concentrations across a variety of pursuit variables. This type of research has not previously been conducted in New Zealand. The present study explores general descriptive pursuit statistics, and patterns and concentrations of crash risk across New Zealand pursuit variables using nationwide pursuit data. Previous research was used to identify variables that would be useful for further analysis using the New Zealand data. Variables were categorised into an input, output and outcome model, then bivariate analysis was conducted using cross-tabulation and t-tests to identify associations between these variables and pursuit crashes. Further research is required to better understand pursuit benefits. However, it appears that pursuits involving fleeing drivers who are children and young people pose an excessive risk, especially when in stolen vehicles. Current police pursuit tactics, like air support use, might not be meeting crash prevention expectations and this issue needs to be investigated further. A power few analysis was conducted analysing pursuit count per officer and pursuit crash likelihood. Associations were identified between gender and officers who engaged in more pursuits compared to officers who engaged in fewer pursuits. No association was found between pursuit counts per officer and crash likelihoods per pursuit. Consistent officer crash risk might indicate sound administrative oversight overall in New Zealand, but the results nevertheless point towards the need for a revised approach to pursuit policy and practice where some pursuits are restricted or discouraged. Some suggestions are also made for further research. Details: Cambridge, UK: Fitzwilliam Collection, University of Cambridge, 2015. 95p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed October 17, 2016 at: http://www.crim.cam.ac.uk/alumni/theses/CHRIS%20SCOTT.pdf Year: 2015 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.crim.cam.ac.uk/alumni/theses/CHRIS%20SCOTT.pdf Shelf Number: 140772 Keywords: Police Behavior Police Effectiveness Police Policies and PracticesPolice Pursuit |
Author: Copple, James E. Title: Law Enforcement Recruitment in the 21st Century: Forum Proceedings Summary: The President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing identified recruitment, training, and retention as priorities for the future of law enforcement. Because of their importance to advancing community and police relations, the task force included them in the first pillar - Trust and Legitimacy - of their final report. And in a follow-up meeting with task force members, the President asked the COPS Office to continue to explore new hiring and policies and practices. In response, the COPS Office hosted the Law Enforcement Recruitment in the 21st Century forum with Strategic Applications International. This report covers the discussions of the forum's participants, drawn from law enforcement, civil rights, and other stakeholder groups. The forum's goals were to identify ways to improve recruitment programs, practices, and strategies with a special emphasis on diversity; to better understand how the image of law enforcement impacts recruiting efforts; and to provide action steps for developing and enhancing recruitment strategies. Details: Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2017. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 7, 2017 at: https://ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-w0830-pub.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: https://ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-w0830-pub.pdf Shelf Number: 140837 Keywords: DiversityEqual Employment OpportunitiesMinorities in PolicingPolice AgenciesPolice Hiring PracticesPolice OfficersPolice Policies and PracticesPolice Recruitment and Selection |
Author: Seattle Community Police Commission Title: An Assessment of the Seattle Police Department's Community Engagement: Through Recruitment, Hiring, and Training Summary: In the July 27, 2012, MOU between DOJ and the City of Seattle, the CPC was charged with conducting an assessment of the community's "experiences with and perceptions of SPD's community outreach, engagement, and problem-oriented policing." Community engagement is a complex topic that means different things to different people. After collecting feedback across Seattle to gain direction (see Appendix I, Parts A-C), the CPC distilled the comments into 10 topics for potential analysis within the larger theme of community engagement (see Appendix I, Part D). We then prioritized three of the topics based on our understanding of the interests and concerns of the constituencies we represent. This report documents our findings from one of those topics, namely, whether SPD's policies and practices in recruitment, hiring, and training of officers promote positive engagement with people from racial, ethnic, immigrant, and refugee communities. The CPC prioritized the study of recruitment, hiring, and training because it emerged as a central community concern across all demographics. In addition, SPD is in the middle of a hiring surge, and we hoped our assessment would ultimately inform the department's practices. Specifically, we are studying SPD's policies and practices as they may affect its relations with racial, ethnic, immigrant, and refugee communities. Certainly, the CPC recognizes the importance of studying other historically underrepresented communities. Provided that we have the resources necessary, we plan to carry out future assessments along these lines. The other two topics that were prioritized and flagged for immediate study regard communications and the formal channels available to racial, ethnic, immigrant, and refugee communities to provide input to SPD, and the communication structures employed by SPD to provide output to those communities. Findings on those topics will be released in the spring of 2016. This report, meanwhile, broadly addresses the question of whether SPD's policies and practices for recruitment, hiring, and training are sufficient to assure that its personnel reflect, understand, and engage with the many racial, ethnic, immigrant, and refugee communities it serves. This is a very expansive area to cover, and our report does not have all the answers. Nevertheless, it attempts to shed light on strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. This report does not offer any recommendations; rather, those will be formulated in the coming months in collaboration with the community and SPD. We have pursued information about the racial makeup of SPD and how it compares to the City of Seattle's population, how SPD's congruity in racial composition compares to that of other cities, the department's current goals for increasing diversity in new hires in the midst of a hiring surge, and how SPD handles recruitment and hiring with regard to racial/ethnic candidates. We have also considered whether there are unnecessary barriers for such candidates moving through the multiple hurdles of the application and selection process and whether there is identifiable attrition. In addition, we have recounted many of the expressed concerns within the communities where we conducted interviews and listening sessions. Finally, we have examined SPD's training of new officers to evaluate the level of focus placed on developing community engagement and cultural competency skills. Details: Seattle: The Commission, 2016. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 12, 2017 at: https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/CommunityPoliceCommission/CPC_Report_on_SPD_Community_Engagement.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/CommunityPoliceCommission/CPC_Report_on_SPD_Community_Engagement.pdf Shelf Number: 146061 Keywords: Community PolicingPolice Education and TrainingPolice Policies and PracticesPolice RecruitmentPolice-Community InteractionsPolice-Community RelationsProblem-Oriented Policing |
Author: Miller, Joel Title: College of Policing stop and search training experiment: Impact evaluation. Final report Summary: This report presents results from a randomised controlled trial of a pilot stop and search training programme. The training was designed to promote the non-discriminatory use of police stop and search powers, strengthen officers' knowledge and skills in applying reasonable suspicion, improve the treatment of members of the public and improve outcomes from encounters. It was led by the College of Policing (the College) in collaboration with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The pilot was carried out in six police forces within England and Wales. A total of 1,323 uniformed officers were included in the study. They were selected because they were regular users of stop and search powers. They were then randomly assigned to a treatment group that was targeted for the pilot training (87 per cent ultimately received training) or a control group that was not intended to receive the training (0.8 per cent received training). Here, we present the findings from an impact evaluation of the pilot based on three sources of data. These are: - Wave 1 survey, carried out a few days or weeks from the end of officers' pilot training - Wave 2 survey, initiated between about three and five months following the end of officers' training - data generated from police search records, drawing from the three calendar months prior to the beginning of training and the three calendar months following the completion of the bulk of training in each force. Analysis of the survey results tested hypotheses concerning the training's effects on officers' knowledge, attitudes and anticipated behaviours, while actual behaviours were measured through police stop and search records. Key findings, focused primarily on programme-level effects across the six forces, are presented below - Impacts on officers' preparation and knowledge - Compared to the control group, officers in the treatment group were a little less likely to report that prior stop and search training (including both pilot and other past training) had prepared them with relevant knowledge and skills, based on the Wave 1 survey. This suggests the pilot training compared unfavourably with officers' recollections of training earlier in their careers. - Officers' knowledge of stop and search regulations and policy was generally high and was a little higher in the treatment than control groups, as measured in both Wave 1 and Wave 2 surveys. This suggests that the pilot training improved officers' already strong stop and search knowledge and that this improvement was sustained over time. - In the Wave 2 survey, officers in the treatment group reported less confidence in the adequacy of grounds in written search records than the control group officers did. This suggests that they had become more stringent in their evaluation of grounds for searches. This effect was found for stronger and weaker grounds although there was some evidence that the effect was greater for weaker grounds. Impacts on officers' attitudes - In the Wave 1 survey, treatment group officers averaged slightly less support for police ethnic/racial stereotyping than control group officers, suggesting a small impact of pilot training, although support for ethnic/racial stereotyping was already low among officers. This variable was not measured in the Wave 2 survey. - In the Wave 1 survey, officers in the treatment group were a little less cynical about the prospect of policies regulating officer stop and search practices, suggesting a modest pilot training impact. This effect did not, however, endure to the Wave 2 survey. - In both Wave 1 and Wave 2 surveys, there was a somewhat lower level of support for high volume stop and search strategies in the treatment group compared to the control group. This suggests the pilot training prompted officers to favour a more selective use of stop and search in crime control. This effect was sustained to Wave 2 - In the Wave 1 survey, there were no differences between treatment and control groups in their support for procedural justice (ie, being respectful and fair) during stop and search. Consistent with this finding, the process evaluation showed that procedural justice was not a central feature of the training that was delivered (see Giacomantonio et al, 2016). Support for procedural justice was not measured in Wave 2. Impacts on officers' anticipated behaviours - When presented with a scenario involving the searching of a confrontational suspect in the Wave 1 survey, there were no clear differences between treatment and control group officers in how they said they would treat the suspect. This applied in relation to both procedural justice principles and the legal procedures used in encounters. - As expected, when asked the likelihood of them questioning potentially suspicious people in a range of different scenarios, there was little difference in response between treatment and control group officers. This was true for examples in both Wave 1 and Wave 2 surveys. This suggests the training did not adversely affect officers' anticipated willingness to intervene in situations. - When they were asked how likely they were to search suspicious people in the same scenarios, however, officers in the treatment group reported notably lower probabilities of doing so, in both Wave 1 and 2 surveys. This was true for scenarios involving suspected robbery or drugs offences as well as for both weaker grounds (as initially hypothesised) and stronger grounds. The effect was strongest for searching when the scenario involved the smell of cannabis as a key basis for suspicion, considered to represent weaker grounds. This may, in part, be due to the emphasis placed in the training on the smell of cannabis, in isolation, as constituting inadequate grounds for a search (see Giacomantonio et al, 2016). - Perhaps explaining the pilot training's effects on officers' anticipated search decisions, the Wave 2 survey showed that officers in the treatment group were less likely than those in the control group to evaluate grounds in the scenarios as adequate to justify a search. The survey, however, showed no differences between the groups in officers' declared willingness to conduct searches, provided grounds were present. - The Wave 1 survey randomly varied the scenario suspects - descriptions between 'black' and 'white' when asking officers about their stop and search decision-making. Officers were generally more likely to say they would question or search white suspects than black suspects. - There was, however, no statistically significant effect of training on ethnic/racial disparities in officers' anticipated stop and search decision-making. Impacts on recorded behaviours - Police data provided no strong evidence of a reduction in officers' search rates directly attributable to the training. There was, however, a small effect that was close to statistical significance, meaning it is possible the training had a marginal effect, in line with officers' responses to survey questions. - An analysis of officers' written grounds indicated no differences in their quality between treatment and control groups. This suggests the training had no impact on the types of searches being conducted or the detail provided by officers when recording their grounds. - Police data showed no effects of training on the proportion of searches resulting in arrests, suggesting that the training has produced no improvements in officer effectiveness. - Police data showed no effects of training on the ethnic/racial distribution of people searched. This was consistent with survey findings showing that the training had no effects on the use of ethnic/racial appearance in officers' decision-making when responding to written scenarios. Force-specific effects - Training was associated with more pronounced effects in some forces than others, although variations were not consistent across types of outcome. Key findings include: - Force E registered almost no statistically significant effects on the range of outcome variables. - Force D experienced the largest number of significant effects of treatment on knowledge and attitudes. - Statistically significant effects were found on at least some anticipated search behaviours for all forces, as measured by the surveys, except Force E. - There was, however, a lack of clear and consistent effects of training on actual officer behaviours, as recorded in police data, for any of the forces (apart from two isolated statistically significant effects). - Force-level differences may reflect variations in the implementation of training between sites. Forces, however, also varied in their geography and organisation which may have influenced how the training was received. Some differences may also be the product of chance variations between forces. Conclusions - While the training had some intended effects, these effects were not found for all objectives, were often modest when they were found, and were often inconsistent across forces. Moreover, there were few concrete effects of training found in measured street-level practice. This raises some questions about the utility of the training as it was formulated for the pilot. - Future stop and search training might usefully give greater emphasis to modelling behaviours in stop and search encounters, alongside abstract teaching about the use and regulation of stop and search powers. This could involve the use of role-plays, for example. - Future stop and search training should probably place greater emphasis on improving how officers interact with suspects, paying particular attention to procedural justice principles, given that the pilot training had no effects related to procedural justice. - A training package that also targeted force supervisors and managers might be more effective. Such an approach could involve education in auditing and supervising officers' use of stop and search, and developing supervisors' and managers' skills in encouraging and directing officers to adopt more effective and fairer stop and search practices. Details: London: Research Advisory Services, 2016. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 29, 2017 at: http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Documents/SS_training_IMPACT_EVALUATION_Final_report.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Documents/SS_training_IMPACT_EVALUATION_Final_report.pdf Shelf Number: 146456 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice Decision-MakingPolice Policies and PracticesPolice TrainingRacial Profiling in Law EnforcementStop and Search |
Author: Myrtle, John Title: Addressing the Role of Police in the Protection of Human Rights: the UN Seminar, Canberra, 1963 Summary: Introduction On 12 May 1963, Australia's leading scholar of jurisprudence and international law, Professor Julius Stone of the University of Sydney's Law School, delivered a broadcast on ABC Radio, 'Australia looks to the world: the police and the people'. His comments were occasioned by his recent attendance at the United Nations Seminar on the Role of the Police in the Protection of Human Rights, held in Canberra. Stone had attended the Seminar as an observer representing the International League for the Rights of Man. Stone asked rhetorically why an international meeting dealing with issues such as police arrests, wiretapping, police interrogation of suspects and universal fingerprinting was related in any way to the United Nations and international affairs. He answered in two ways. At one level there was a need to address gross violations of human rights which had grave international repercussions. He cited egregious provisions of the South African Government's apartheid legislation; and the brutality of police in Alabama in dealing with black Americans demonstrating for recognition of their human rights. From another perspective, in the 20th century the importance of human rights of men and women had been the focus of international laws and treaties. These were the contexts for the 1963 UN Seminar. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was approved at the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The Declaration has become a symbol of that organisation's aspirations. Its enactment into binding institutional and governing norms has been a prolonged process, and continues. For one recent historian of human rights in the post-war world, the first two decades of the United Nation's life were a record of failure. It was not the United Nations, argues Samuel Moyn, but the social movements emerging from the disillusion of the Cold War years, that enlivened human rights as a contemporary political agenda. Yet these were also years in which the organisation institutionalised a commitment to advancing human rights when it established a Division dedicated to the issue. The 50th anniversary of the Canberra UN Seminar on the Role of the Police in the Protection of Human Rights offers a compelling opportunity to reconsider the emergence of human rights as a norm shaping criminal justice principles and practice since the Second World War. The event was unprecedented and its agenda potentially explosive. The institutional and political constraints on the advancement of the human rights agenda in such a forum nevertheless proved formidable. Looking back from 2013 we have the advantage of hindsight in appraising this unusual event. We also face the challenge of understanding its limitations. In the account that follows we consider the hopes that were held for the UN Seminar, the course of its deliberations, and observe the scope of debate around its outcomes at that time. Details: Brisbane : ARC Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security, 2013. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 2, 2017 at: http://apo.org.au/node/35805 Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: http://apo.org.au/node/35805 Shelf Number: 130024 Keywords: Human RightsHuman Rights AbusesPolice BehaviorPolice Policies and PracticesPolicing |
Author: Morden, John W. Title: Independent Civilian Review into Matters Relating to the G20 Summit Summary: The Independent Civilian Review into Matters Relating to the G20 Summit was launched on September 23, 2010 by the Toronto Police Services Board. The Review examined issues concerning the role the Board played with respect to the policing of the G20 Summit that was held in Toronto on June 25-27, 2010. It also examined the role played by the Toronto Police Service during the G20 Summit, with a view to determining whether the plans developed and implemented were adequate and effective for policing of the Summit. The Board appointed the Honourable John W. Morden, a former Associate Chief Justice of Ontario, to conduct the Review and provide a report and recommendations. Details: Toronto: Toronto Police Services Board, 2012. 475p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 28, 2017 at: http://www.tpsb.ca/g20/ICRG20Mordenreport.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Canada URL: http://www.tpsb.ca/g20/ICRG20Mordenreport.pdf Shelf Number: 146909 Keywords: Civilian Oversight of PoliceComplaints Against the PolicePolice Accountability Police Oversight Police Policies and PracticesPolice ReformPublic DisorderRiots and Protests |
Author: Coleman, Terry Title: TEMPO: Police Interactions. A report towards improving interactions between police and people living with mental health problems Summary: In 2008 the MHCC conducted a review of the basic/recruit training, which occurs primarily at Canadian police colleges/academies, concerning interactions with people with mental illnesses. To complement that study, in 2010, the MHCC conducted a review that examined the nature and extent of such police training and education at the in-service or continuing education level within Canadian police organizations. Based on these reviews, an aspirational model of police education and training - TEMPO (Training and Education about Mental Illness for Police Organizations) - was developed, described, and disseminated. The purpose of the present report is to review progress since that time. Notwithstanding the nature and seriousness of individual interactions between police and people with mental illnesses, it is widely accepted that there are too many. While most will never garner attention on the front page of a newspaper, for the people involved all incidents are serious and potentially traumatic. How do we ensure that police personnel are well prepared to deal with these potentially difficult situations? This report will provide assistance in achieving that. This report is focused on police education and training, rather than on the broader systems and policies that affect interactions between police and people with mental illnesses; it addresses education and training in the broadest sense. The report places an emphasis on HOW we should teach as well as what we should teach, given the many developments in the field of adult education and curriculum design. Details: Ottawa: Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2014. 94p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 7, 2017 at: https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/sites/default/files/TEMPO%252520Police%252520Interactions%252520082014_0.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Canada URL: https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/sites/default/files/TEMPO%252520Police%252520Interactions%252520082014_0.pdf Shelf Number: 147612 Keywords: Mentally Ill OffendersMentally Ill PersonsPolice Education and TrainingPolice Policies and PracticesPolice Use of Force |
Author: Sentas, Vicki Title: Policing Young People in NSW: A study of the Suspect Targeting Management Plan Summary: The New South Wales Police Force (NSW Police) Suspect Targeting Management Plan (STMP) seeks to prevent future offending by targeting repeat offenders and people police believe are likely to commit future crime. The STMP is both a police intelligence tool that uses risk assessment to identify suspects and a policing program that guides police interaction with individuals who are subject to the program. This report focuses on how the STMP is applied to children and young people. The report documents how the STMP is used in relation to young people, young people's experiences with the STMP and the impact that the STMP is having on young people's interactions with police and criminal justice. This report also documents the impact of the STMP on policing practice and police application of the law. Findings in this report are based on i) available quantitative data on program participants, ii) de-identified case studies drawn from interviews with lawyers, iii) publicly available guidance given to police on STMP operational procedures, and iv) analysis of case law and legislation. The research has been limited by the lack of publicly available information on the STMP and the absence, to date, of scrutiny and oversight of the program. By adopting a mixed methods approach, the report is able to make robust preliminary findings and identify areas for further investigation. The preliminary findings based on this research are: - Disproportionate use against young people and Aboriginal people: Data shows the STMP disproportionately targets young people, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and has been used against children as young as ten. - Patterns of 'oppressive policing' that may be damaging relationships between police and young people: Young people targeted on the STMP experience a pattern of repeated contact with police in confrontational circumstances such as through stop and search, move on directions and regular home visits. The STMP risks damaging relationships between young people and the police. Young people, their families or legal representatives are rarely aware of criteria used to add or remove people from the STMP. As the case studies show, young people experience the STMP as a pattern of oppressive, unjust policing. - Increasing young people's costly contact with the criminal justice system and no observable impact on crime prevention: The STMP has the effect of increasing vulnerable young people's contact with the criminal justice system. Application of the STMP can be seen to undermine key objectives of the NSW youth criminal justice system, including diversion, rehabilitation and therapeutic justice. The research has identified several instances where Aboriginal young people on Youth Koori Court therapeutic programs have had their rehabilitation compromised by remaining on the STMP. There is no publicly available evidence that the STMP reduces youth crime. - Encouraging poor police practice: In some instances, the exercise of police search powers in relation to a young person on the STMP have been found unlawful by the courts. The STMP may be inadvertently diminishing police understanding of the lawful use of powers (set out in the Law Enforcement Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2002 (NSW) (LEPRA)) and thereby exposing police to reduced efficacy and civil action. - No transparency and an absence of oversight, scrutiny or evaluation: The operation of the STMP is not transparent or accountable. Criteria for placement on the STMP are not publicly available, individuals cannot access their STMP plan and it is unclear what criteria are used by police to remove a person from the STMP. The report proposes a number of recommendations based on these findings and the research represented in this report. These recommendations provide clear and specific guidance to the NSW Police Force and the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission. Details: Sydney: Youth Justice Coalition, 2017. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 2, 2017 at: https://www.piac.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/17.10.25-YJC-STMP-Report.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Australia URL: https://www.piac.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/17.10.25-YJC-STMP-Report.pdf Shelf Number: 147981 Keywords: Crime Prevention Juvenile Offenders Police Effectiveness Police Policies and PracticesRepeat Offenders Youthful Offenders |
Author: Strom, Kevin Title: Research on the Impact of Technology on Policing Strategy in the 21st Century, Final Report Summary: Over the past several decades, policing agencies have implemented an array of technological advancements to improve operational efficiency and outcomes, especially in times of diminished resources and enhanced public attention on and scrutiny of law enforcement activity. However, much remains to be known about the prevalence and utility of technology among the nation's law enforcement agencies and the factors that influence its selection and implementation. To address these issues, we need to build the knowledge base of why and how police select, implement, and integrate new technology; how that technology is being used; and whether new technology improves policing in a meaningful way for both the agency and the community. RTI International and the Police Executive Research Forum were funded by the National Institute of Justice to examine more closely the types of technology that U.S. law enforcement agencies (LEAs) are acquiring and implementing, and the degree to which the use of technology is linked to strategy development and larger organizational change within policing organizations. Three specific objectives were examined. The first objective was the prevalence of police technology on a national level; the second objective examined a group of selected "high-technology implementer" and "mixed-technology implementer" agencies. The combined findings from the national- and site-level data were used to develop the final objective: a research-based framework to guide police agencies in future selection, implementation, and use of technology. Findings show that for most technologies, a greater proportion of large agencies (250 or more sworn officers) had adopted the technology than those from the entire sample. A notable exception, however, is that large agencies were less likely to have used some technological devices, such as body-worn cameras, in the past 2 years. Site-level data illuminated the difference in how ingrained different technology is from agency to agency; two agencies may have implemented the same technology, but the level of sophistication and use can be widely divergent. Finally, the findings suggest that the success or failure of technology can be multidimensional and can rarely be traced back to a single issue. Instead, technology identification and adoption are complex processes and the factors that support technology success or failure are similarly multifaceted. In general, across U.S. LEAs, a strong association between policing strategy and technology uses was not found. In other words, at a national level, agencies are not making decisions to acquire technology based on dominant policing philosophies or the activities they prioritize. Instead, agencies appear to adopt technology ad hoc in response to a constellation of factors that includes executive staff decisions, perceived needs, community demands, and available funding. Details: Research Triangle Park, NC: RTI International, 2016. 151p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 8, 2017 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/251140.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/251140.pdf Shelf Number: 148771 Keywords: Law Enforcement TechnologyPolice EfficiencyPolice EquipmentPolice Policies and PracticesPolice Technology |
Author: Amnesty International Netherlands Title: Police Oversight Summary: Effective oversight mechanisms are necessary to balance the powers held by law enforcement officials, and ensure that they operate within the law. Oversight, for this purpose, refers to continuous accountability, before, during and after law enforcement operations. While international standards stress the importance of establishing accountability, there is little specification as to the structure or method required to achieve this goal. The PHRP team has analysed a number of existing oversight mechanisms from a variety of countries in terms of their functioning and effectiveness, their strengths and weaknesses, as well as the processes that led to their creation. The purpose of the paper is not to present a one-model-fits-all idea of an effective police oversight mechanism since any such mechanism would have to be adapted to the specificities of each country. The purpose is rather to show the criteria and considerations to be taken into account when setting up an effective police oversight mechanism in terms of mandate, powers and authority, composition and resourcing. Worldwide, Amnesty International and other human rights organisations strive to enhance police accountability and to strengthen independent control and oversight over police. It is hoped that the findings and recommendations of this paper are a useful support to that endeavour. Details: Amsterdam: Amnesty International, 2015. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Police and Human Rights Programme -- Short paper series No. 2: Accessed April 4, 2018 at: https://www.amnesty.nl/actueel/short-paper-series-no-2-police-oversight Year: 2015 Country: Netherlands URL: https://www.amnesty.nl/actueel/short-paper-series-no-2-police-oversight Shelf Number: 149682 Keywords: Police Accountability Police Behavior Police Legitimacy Police Oversight Police Policies and Practices |
Author: Wiebe, Daryl Title: Vancouver Police Mental Health Strategy: A comprehensive approach for a proportional police response to persons living with mental illness Summary: The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) has been proactive over the past 30 years regarding incidents involving mental health, implementing a number of programs and initiatives to improve outcomes relating to police interactions with persons living with mental illness. In 1978, the VPD implemented 'Car 87,' an integrated response model partnering a police officer with a mental health professional. That program continues today, and has served as a model for many other police agencies to copy. It has been further augmented with other initiatives to focus on youth and chronic offenders, and more specialized mental health programs. Over the past five years, the VPD has publicly reported on the dramatic increase in the incidence of police interactions with persons living with mental illness (see Appendix - A). There has also been a number of high-profile incidences of violent crime associated with an apparent mental health factor, highlighting gaps in the continuum of care and in the system generally. That is not to say that mental illness is a causal factor in violent crime. Rather, persons living with mental illness are more likely to be a victim of crime, rather than the perpetrator. These drivers have led to the VPD enhancing its service delivery and actively participating in broader multi-disciplinary teams, with health care providers, to deliver proper community-based mental health support for those in need. While these initiatives have all proven valuable in terms of client needs and reduced police interaction, and can each be supported as effective through evidence-based research, a broader Mental Health Strategy will serve as an overarching approach for the VPD. It is intended to account for the significant impact that can result from persons living with mental illness coming into contact with the police, and set forth a framework on how the VPD models its interaction with this segment of the population. In addition, it is important to acknowledge that most mental-health-related calls to the police involve persons with concurrent disorders - a mental illness and substance abuse problems. This Mental Health Strategy is framed around the core values of the VPD, and the principles of justification, proportionality and intrusiveness. It is designed to provide clear and concise information about the VPD's position and intent, and to serve as a framework to support operational deployment, organizational partnerships, education and training initiatives, and a commitment to the community relative to its interactions with persons living with mental illness. Finally, this Mental Health Strategy was not developed in isolation. The VPD has consulted with partners in the mental health community, in an effort to include their perspectives on this jointly-shared social challenge. Input was received from numerous stakeholders and partner organizations, including Vancouver Coastal Health, the Canadian Mental Health Association, the City of Vancouver, and mental health professionals from St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver General Hospital, and UBC Psychiatry. In addition, a consultation session with the Persons with Lived Experience Committee, Mayor's Task Force on Mental Health and Addiction resulted in meaningful feedback from this affected population. Details: Vancouver, BC: Vancouver Police Department, 2016. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 6, 2018 at: http://vancouver.ca/police/assets/pdf/reports-policies/mental-health-strategy.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Canada URL: http://vancouver.ca/police/assets/pdf/reports-policies/mental-health-strategy.pdf Shelf Number: 149708 Keywords: Mental HealthMentally Ill PersonsPolice Policies and PracticesPolice Services for the Mentally Ill |
Author: Doob, Anthony N. Title: Understanding the Impact of Police Stops Summary: Imagine that technology existed such that the police could, electronically, identify and track everyone and every motor vehicle in the city and that this information were stored electronically and available to the police, as required, for solving crime. Even if such information was not admissible as evidence, one could easily see its possible value in solving crime. If a home were broken into, one only would have to search a data base to find out who had been in the neighbourhood. If a pedestrian were hit by a car that did not remain at the scene of the accident, one would only need to see what vehicles had been at that scene around the time of the accident to narrow down the possible suspects considerably. If a person were found to be using or in possession of drugs, one would only need to see whom that person had been in close contact with in recent times to identify a fairly small group of suspects as the source of those drugs. If a person were thought to be a member of a gang, it would be easy to find out whom that person associated with on a regular basis. We don't live in such a society. Obviously the information that the police have about the non-criminal activities of ordinary citizens is much more limited than that described in the previous paragraph. But what if it turned out we did live in the world described in the previous paragraph and people suddenly expressed the desire no longer to live in a world with constant and complete police scrutiny of their ordinary activities? One could imagine the suggestion would be made that not allowing police the kind of surveillance described in the previous paragraph would limit their ability to solve crime. We raise this hypothetical scenario for a particular reason: There is no point in arguing whether complete or highly detailed information about the day-to-day movements or meetings that Canadians have might be useful to the police in solving crime. At a more mundane level, we see on an almost daily basis that footage from 'security' cameras is now routinely used to solve crime in a manner not too different from that described above. Our second example comes closer to the issue of police stops. Imagine that there were no controls whatsoever on the power of the police to stop pedestrians and motorists and ask them to identify themselves. Even if, in law, citizens were not required to identify themselves or to answer any questions, one could argue that maintaining whatever information was obtained could be useful if a crime took place in that neighbourhood or someone associated with the person who had been stopped was suspected of some wrongdoing. That this information could potentially be useful is not the point. The question that needs to be raised in both of these examples is a much more complex one: What might be the 'costs' and 'benefits' to society of these kinds of data gathering programs? Even these two hypothetical scenarios are missing something crucial: comparison groups. The question, in most public policy areas, is not whether there are some successful outcomes from a particular procedure, but whether there are better outcomes overall than there might be under some other procedure. For example, in each of the hypothetical scenarios described above, it might be that deployment of resources in some quite different way or a decision to address some quite different problem would serve the community better than the scenarios described. Or such procedures as described earlier might help solve crime but would lessen cooperation with the police on important matters. Comparison groups or procedures typically are not employed adequately when assessing possible policy choices, but in reality the need for a 'comparison' is usually important. In a discussion about police equipment (e.g., body worn cameras), not only might one want to know whether they affect police or citizen behaviour (implying a comparison with how police or citizens behave without the device), but a serious policy analysis should include an analysis of alternative uses of the resources that would be required for the purchase and use of the devices. An example of the inappropriate use of implied comparisons is when changes in police strength or police tactics are implemented after an unusual (e.g., serious, violent) incident. When police, understandably, change their approach to policing a neighbourhood that experienced an unusual incident or high concentration of serious incidents, they sometimes infer that any subsequent return to 'normal' levels of crime is 'caused' by changes they made in their presence in the neighbourhood. Without adequate comparison areas (e.g., areas that experienced a 'spike' that did not result in changes in policing), such causal inferences simply aren't defensible. The issues become more complex when one moves closer to reality. One fact about crime that noone questions is that it is not evenly (or even randomly) distributed across people, groups of people, or neighbourhoods in our society. Young males, for example, are disproportionately more likely to be involved in a variety of different kinds of crime than other people. People who live in certain kinds of neighbourhoods are more likely to commit offences than people in other neighbourhoods. But some neighbourhoods themselves appear to have characteristics that make them more likely to be the sites for crime above and beyond the characteristics of the individuals who live in them. In this context, a policing perspective that did not consider any other concerns could justify focusing surveillance resources on certain neighbourhoods or types of people (e.g., young males). The problem is that there almost always are other concerns, and concerns that could easily have the effect of undermining the crime control goal of proactive policing activities, such as police stops. This report examines some of the more reliable research that has been carried out on issues broadly related to 'street stops' of ordinary citizens. It makes the assumption that stops can have more than one effect and that some of these effects might, broadly speaking, be favourable and others unfavourable. Hence this report is more than an attempt to answer the question of whether street stops have a short term effect on local crime. We are not claiming to provide an exhaustive review of the literature that summarizes all of the research on issues related to street stops. Were we to do so, we would spend considerable resources reviewing and discarding inadequate research papers. Instead we are relying on Criminological Highlights, a research information service, produced by the Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies of the University of Toronto. The papers summarized in this information service not only have been reviewed by reputable social science journals, but also by our editorial board (currently of about 11 people), which has read and evaluated each paper that is summarized in Criminological Highlights. The one page summaries of articles we cite are attached to this report and are an integral part of it. Most importantly, these summaries make it easy for readers to evaluate the information on which our conclusions are based. Details: Toronto: University of Toronto, Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies, 2017. 90p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 6, 2018 at: http://criminology.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/DoobGartnerPoliceStopsReport-17Jan2017r.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Canada URL: http://criminology.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/DoobGartnerPoliceStopsReport-17Jan2017r.pdf Shelf Number: 149726 Keywords: Crime HotspotsPolice CrackdownsPolice Policies and PracticesPolice SurveillancePolice-Citizen InteractionsRacial Profiling in Law EnforcementStop and FriskStop and Search |
Author: Coleman, Terry Title: Police Interactions with Persons with a Mental Illness: Police Learning in the Environment of Contemporary Policing Summary: n recent decades, the number of interactions between people with mental illnesses and police has increased significantly. While most of these interactions are minor in nature and are resolved uneventfully, there are unfortunately a few which result in significant negative outcomes. Whenever this is the case, one of the most frequent recommendations which has emerged from reviews is that police officers should be provided with education and training - learning - in order to give them the skills and knowledge necessary to interact adaptively with people with mental illnesses (PMI). This paper is Part II of a two-part review of that learning; Part I was a review of police education and training at the police academy basic training level. The purpose of the current investigation, Part II, was to review the state of police in-service education and training related to police/PMI interactions. A review of current practice in a variety of jurisdictions across Canada as well as in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, suggests that there is considerable variability in existing programs. While many police agencies provide little or no learning in this area, others provide more comprehensive education varying in length from a few hours to several days. The content of the training varies from an overview considered appropriate for a wide variety of police officers up to and including highly focused training intended for specialist officers. While some police services provide 'one-size-fits-all' training, others deliver a variety of levels and degrees of learning. Unfortunately, in spite of the widespread acceptance of programs such as the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model, which originated in Memphis, Tennessee, there is little outcome research or data-based evidence to inform the exact nature of an effective program, and the research that does exist does not provide guidance as to which components of a learning program are most effective. Nevertheless, the existing research tends to support the contention that education and training is effective in improving outcomes overall. Even though, the primary purpose of the paper is to provide an overview of what is delivered and what should be delivered in terms of curricula related to mental illness, it would be inappropriate to discuss curriculum without considering the greater context. While education and training is of course essential to ensuring that interactions between police and PMI are constructive and adaptive, education in and of itself is not a panacea and will not create the kind of change that is desirable if it occurs in isolation. Thus, before identifying 'desired practices' in terms of curriculum, it is necessary to comment on the circumstance within which this learning should occur. First, every police officer operates within the context of his/her own organization. Therefore, it is essential that each police organization have in place policies and procedures that support the application of the skills and knowledge that police acquire through education and training. For example, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has promulgated the Contemporary Policing Guidelines for Working with the Mental Health System. The Guidelines outline a series of processes and policies that should ideally be in place in any police agency in order to inform and support the work of not only individual police officers but of all police personnel who encounter PMI. In addition to these policies and procedures, each police organization must also be guided by knowledge about the police academy training that their officers bring to the workplace. As has been noted in a previous survey (Part I), police academies vary significantly in terms of the type and extent of learning at the basic-training level. In many cases, such academy level training has only been in place in recent years; thus, police officers who have been employed longer will not have had the benefit of that training. Second, while the specific content of a mental-illness related curriculum is of course crucial, it is not the only determinant of successful learning. It is necessary that police agencies attend to a variety of other factors that will have a direct impact on the learning outcome. These include: - selection of appropriate 'trainers,' including those who are both subject matter experts and who are operationally credible; - inclusion of local mental health professionals, for the purposes of providing reliable information as well as to assist in forming local connections with mental health agencies; - integration of PMI and their families into the training in order to provide direct first-hand experience with this population; - use of a variety of forms of learning media including participatory strategies; - focus on cognitive determinants of behaviour including attitudes, exercise of discretion and stigma; and adaptability of the curriculum to reflect the population receiving training (e.g. new officers versus specialized teams versus dispatch personnel) as well as local community needs. By extracting components from a variety of education and training regimes already in place in Canada and other countries, and then combining them with what can be gleaned from outcome research, a comprehensive education and training regime based on an identified learning spectrum emerges; one that can be adapted to a variety of police agencies and police personnel. The proposed learning model has been entitled TEMPO - an acronym for Training and Education about Mental Illness for Police Officers. Details: Ottawa: Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2010. 90p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed April 17, 2018 at: https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/sites/default/files/Law_Police_Interactions_Mental_Illness_Report_ENG_0_1.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Canada URL: https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/sites/default/files/Law_Police_Interactions_Mental_Illness_Report_ENG_0_1.pdf Shelf Number: 149842 Keywords: Mentally Ill OffendersMentally Ill PersonsPolice Education and TrainingPolice Policies and PracticesPolice Use of Force |
Author: Perry, David Title: Critical Factors in Police Use-of-Force Decisions Summary: This study investigated law enforcement officers' perceptions of the legal, normative, and practical considerations that are implicit in their decisions when faced with using physical force. Law enforcement officers observe and protect fundamental human rights. A significant problem, however, is that physical force is sometimes misused, impacting public confidence in police services. The study was framed by Durkheim's conflict theory and Beirie's concepts of police corporate culture and social control. It used a grounded theory method and predeveloped case scenarios presented to 2 male focus groups of 7 and 6 participants respectively, and 2 female focus groups of 5 and 7 participants, who were police officers in Canada, to explore for gender differences in response strategies, decisions to use force, and arguments for their decisions, following the model set forth by Waddington (2009). Additionally, data were also collected through 12 individual semistructured interviews. Open, axial, and selective manual coding was used in the data analysis. The data collection and analysis for this study resulted in the development of, the paradigm of safety, a theory that reflects how female officers' useof-force decisions differ from the decisions of their male colleagues. These decision factors, when incorporated into their response strategies, reflect the timing and need for using force. This study promotes positive social change by providing information that will inform police policies and training practices. This information will enable police administrators and legislators to enhance workplace safety for their officers that are more consistent with democratic rights and freedoms for citizens by reducing use-of-force in conflict circumstances Details: Minneapolis, MN: Walden University, 2015. 249p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed April 20, 2018 at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=2269&context=dissertations Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=2269&context=dissertations Shelf Number: 149864 Keywords: Police Decision MakingPolice DiscretionPolice MisconductPolice Policies and PracticesPolice TrainingPolice Use of Force |
Author: Victoria Police Title: Inspectorate Review 20/2011: Evaluation of Pursuits: Final Report Summary: The decision to engage in a pursuit is one of the most difficult police face. It is also among the quickest they must make. The need to apprehend suspects in order to maintain a lawful society is obvious. The manner and method of apprehensions, especially in cases of automobile pursuits, is however, an object of criticism and disagreement for many commentators. The need to pursue is a dilemma that faces Victoria Police, and policing organisations worldwide. The fallout public opinion and media commentary that follows a pursuit indicates it truly is the case of damned if you do, damned if you don't. Bearing this in mind, it is important to highlight the following statistics: - Fatalities from police pursuits make up less than 1% of our State Road Toll - Fatalities from police pursuits make up less than 1% of total pursuit outcomes Victoria Police seeks to eliminate all fatalities and road trauma collisions from our roads. In respect to pursuits, our actions, training, systems, practices and policy contribute significantly towards mitigating risks, and in doing so accords with the our priorities of delivering A Safer Victoria. Review - The 2011 Pursuits Review was undertaken in consideration of the following Terms of Reference: 1. Evaluate the current operational practices regarding Victoria Police pursuits by reviewing all pursuits for the past 12 months. Findings - Pursuits have increased annually at a rate of 4.2% since 2002 - Pursuit terminations have increased from 16% in 2002 to 44% in 2011 - Self terminations have increased from 8% in 2002 to 31% in 2011 - Directed terminations have increased from 8% in 2002 to 13% in 2011 - Pursuit collisions have increased from 10% in 2002 to 14% in 2011 - Pursuit fatalities equate to less than 1% of pursuit outcomes since 2002 - Regular reinforcement of police members' obligations to critical incidents and pursuits through existing internal mediums intranet, email, The Gazette appears to have a positive influence on police members' behaviour. The 2011 Pursuits Review was undertaken in consideration of the following Terms of Reference: 1. Evaluate the current operational practices regarding Victoria Police pursuits by reviewing all pursuits for the past 12 months. Findings - Pursuits have increased annually at a rate of 4.2% since 2002 - Pursuit terminations have increased from 16% in 2002 to 44% in 2011 - Self terminations have increased from 8% in 2002 to 31% in 2011 - Directed terminations have increased from 8% in 2002 to 13% in 2011 - Pursuit collisions have increased from 10% in 2002 to 14% in 2011 - Pursuit fatalities equate to less than 1% of pursuit outcomes since 2002 - Regular reinforcement of police members' obligations to critical incidents and pursuits through existing internal mediums - intranet, email, The Gazette - appears to have a positive influence on police members' behaviour. 2. Review the current Victoria Police pursuit policy to determine its adequacy and compliance by police members. Findings - The Victoria Police policy is adequate and compliance by police members is high - The Victoria Police policy aligns with the practices and policies of other law enforcement agencies both nationally and internationally - Uncertainty exists in respect to pursuit definitions, in particular the Elective and Imperative Definitions - Opportunities exist for improvement within Victoria Police in respect to: - Adherence to Approved Driving Authority restrictions On occasion police drivers exceed the speed restrictions placed on their Approved Driving Authorities (ADA) - Adherence to Police Vehicle Class restrictions On occasion police drivers exceed the speed restrictions placed on the Police Vehicle Classification - Post incident reporting and incident investigation There is limited review of police pursuits at supervisor and management levels - Education appears to have a positive influence on police members behaviour - The 8 internal information systems that capture police pursuit data are not connected, and thus do not allow for a total reconstruction and review of pursuits. 3. Review Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, policy and practices to determine safety compliance relative to pursuits. Findings The Victorian Government Solicitors Office and People Department advise that Victoria Police meets its obligations under relevant Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 legislation as it relates to the execution of operational duties (pursuits). 4. Research interstate and international pursuit policy to identify best practice and possible risk mitigation strategies in relation to pursuits. Findings Policies for pursuits nationally and internationally are closely aligned, and appear to have been modelled on the Victoria Police policy review in 2002. There exist a number of technological options that could be used as potential risk mitigation and resolution options for pursuits: - Hands Free Communications - Increases to the In Car Video capabilities - Increases to the Mobile Data Network capabilities Inspectorate: Evaluation of Pursuits - Pursuit Resolution Options, such as the Fleeing Vehicle Tagging System which launches a transmitter that affixes to the fleeing vehicle for tracking, and electronic pulse immobilisers were considered too risky, difficult and costly to operate and execute. Conclusion Victoria Police's execution of functions in pursuits is sound and improving. To place further restrictions and/or ban this function would create a pathway to lawlessness on our roads and draw criticism from the wider Victorian Community. Whilst fatalities from police pursuits make up less than 1% of the State Road Toll, Victoria Police deems this result as unacceptable, robustly investigating, assessing and reviewing the circumstances of each pursuit fatality, under the constant and immediate scrutiny and oversight of agencies such as the Critical Incident Management Review Committee, Ethical Standards Department and Office of Police Integrity, but more so, the wider community. Victoria Police is committed to delivering A Safer Victoria. It would be preferred that vehicle pursuits did not occur, but Victoria Police attempts to mitigate the risk of an adverse result through: its established policy and training; constant review; and ongoing reinforcement to staff of their obligation to our primary duty of protecting life and property. Details: Melbourne: Victoria Police, 2011. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 23, 2019 at: http://pi.aic.gov.au/resources/inspectorate-review-202011-evaluation-pursuits-final-report Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://pi.aic.gov.au/resources/inspectorate-review-202011-evaluation-pursuits-final-report Shelf Number: 154386 Keywords: Police Behavior Police Decision-Making Police Effectiveness Police Policies and PracticesPolice Pursuits |