We learned a few weeks ago that we were awarded federal funds to conduct a study of our implementation of the National Highway Traffic Safety Association's Data Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety (DDACTS) Initiative. The purpose of the study is to determine what effect the DDACTS initiative has had on crime and traffic safety in the City of Shawnee. This award is a great honor for Shawnee and we are now a member of a select few law enforcement agencies that are testing solutions to serious crime problems in their jurisdictions.
The goal of these Smart Policing initiatives is to develop evidence-based, data-driven law enforcement tactics and strategies that are effective, efficient, and economical. These proven tactics and strategies will be a great benefit to law enforcement agencies as measured by reduced crime and higher case closure rates. This is so important in these days of budget constraints and limited staffing.
According to the Bureau of Justice Assistance, “The Smart Policing Initiative (SPI) seeks to build upon concepts of “offender-based” and “place-based” policing. Several longitudinal projects in the United States and the United Kingdom have demonstrated convincingly that a small number of offenders commit a disproportionate amount of crime. It is also well documented that crime reports and calls for service often cluster predominately at specific locations or narrow, easily-defined areas, and that the most convincing research indicates that “place-based” or “hotspot” policing reduces violent crime and neighborhood disorder. These persuasive findings suggest that effective policing requires a tightly focused, collaborative approach that is measurable; based on sound, detailed analysis; and includes policies and procedures for accountability.
The consistent use of preventive and tactical tools that are rooted in a scientific knowledge base of “what works” should be promoted and integrated into daily police work. Inculcating evidence-based policies and procedures in everyday police operations is critically important to an agency’s ability to provide quality law enforcement services.”
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