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lecture_5_problem-oriented_policing_critic-revised.pptxProblem-Oriented Policing CRITIC
Introduction
Problem-oriented policing (POP) is an approach that seeks to
Determine the underlying complex mechanisms (conditions) of crime problems
Develop tailor-made interventions to address these underlying conditions
Introduction
Basic POP framework:
Introduction
Researchers suggest POP is effective in controlling various types of crime problems and disorder
E.g., Theft from vehicles (see Eck and Spelman), convenience store robberies, prostitution, and alcohol-related violence in bars and clubs
Also, successful in addressing fear of crime and quality of life problems
E.g., Loch Raven Apartments and the Belmont Treehouse (see Eck and Spelman)
Introduction
However, are these interventions the same type of POP envisioned by Herman Goldstein in 1979?
Braga and Weisburd argue that POP is NOT being implemented the way Goldstein has intended
Innovation in Policing?
Braga and Weisburd’s Argument:
Goldstein’s principles not being practiced in the field
POP today is not the same as Goldstein’s vision
Disconnect between rhetoric (Goldstein’s vision) and reality of POP
Deficiencies in current POP responses
E.g., superficial analysis of problems, rushing to implement responses, failure to assess or evaluate interventions
Problem-solving processes are often weak
Outline of Argument
Defining Problems
Police encounter problems at each stage of the S.A.RA. model
Shallow Problem-Solving
Can be a practical way for Police Agencies to prevent crime at specific places
Obstacles to Requiring Police Agencies to Develop more In-depth Problem Solving
Hierarchical organization inhibits innovation
Police culture is resistant
Defining Problems
The police encounter various problems at each stage of the SARA Model
Many POP interventions do not follow the chronological process and steps of the model
Instead, many steps occur simultaneously or police officers move back and forth between steps
Scanning: Identification of important problems
Recall that Goldstein’s definition of problems
Identified at the street level
Cluster of similar or recurring incidents
Community concern
Breaking-down larger categories of crime into specific offenses
E.g., Auto Theft “joy riding” or “stripping for auto parts”
In real practice, how are problems identified by police officers?
Scanning cont’d…
POP officers fail to specify the problems being addressed in two ways:
Undertake a project that is too small
E.g., beat projects that deal with one person
Undertake a project that is too big, too broadly identified
E.g., problem neighborhoods, gang delinquency
Analysis: Police officers analyze the causes (underlying conditions of problems
Recall that Goldstein’s suggests that officers should
Determine places and times particular offenses likely to occur
Determine underlying causes and conditions of crime
Identify offenders likely to be responsible for crimes (chronic offenders)
Identify repeat victims
How does analysis actually occur in police practices?
Analysis cont’d…
Oftentimes, police officers…
Skip analysis
Conduct simple analysis that does not dissect the problem
Limited analysis
Do not examine the genesis of crime problems
Why does this occurs?
Difficult to analyze hot spots
They have multiple problems
Example: Jersey City
Responses: Plausible effective solutions
Analysis is linked to development of responses
Recall that Goldstein advocated for an array of tools and strategies, not just arrest
Actions of others are important to reduce opportunities for criminal offending
Mobilize informal social control and social cohesion
But, what do POP interventions actually rely on?
Research suggests that many POP interventions rely on traditional police tactics
E.g., Arrest, Surveillance, and Crackdowns
Why?
Complexity of problems at hot spots
Assessment: Assess the impact the intervention had on the problem
Why is this important?
The police are accountable for performance and use of resources
Police learn what methods are effective in dealing with particular problems
Are POP responses or interventions assessed?
Impact evaluationS do Not occur often
When responses are assessed, it is usually limited in nature
Shallow Problem-Solving
A wealth of evidence exists that suggests that POP can prevent and control crime
Many of these successful POP interventions should be classified as problem-solving efforts, and not POP (as envisioned by Goldstein)
Problem solving is a “shallow” version of POP
Why????
Efforts are smaller in scope
Basic or rudimentary analysis of identified problem(s)
Lack of formal assessments (i.e., impact evaluations)
Shallow Problem-Solving
Braga and Weisburd suggests that…
If the police engage in a limited implementation of POP, and the results of the intervention is positive, then problem-solving efforts can be enough!
In order to prevent crime, the police should focus resources on identified risks and problems
E.g., chronic offenders, repeat victims, and crime hot spots
Shallow Problem-Solving
Problem-solving efforts that can be used to address high-crime locations fall into two types of programs:
Enforcement POP
Situational POP
Enforcement POP Programs
Police response consists of traditional tactics at high-risk times and locations
E.g., Directed patrol, crackdowns, and Terry searches
This differs from Goldstein’s vision in that:
Responses are not individualized
Do not consider the underlying conditions of a place
Situational POP Programs
These adhere to Goldstein’s vision:
Precise identification of problems
Thorough analysis of crime problems at places
Police collaborate with community members and organizations, businesses, and other city agencies
Broad search for individualized solutions and responses to problems
Figure 7.1 Continuum of police responses to control high-crime places
Illustrated in Braga and Weisburd’s chapter in Police Innovation (2006)
Feasibility of POP
Is it realistic to expect police agencies to develop their capacity to conduct more in-depth POP?
Not really
Why or why not?
Two obstacles:
Hierarchical org. of police departments inhibit innovation and creativity
Org. culture of policing is resistant to this in-depth approach to problem solving
Summary
POP is innovative
However, gap between Goldstein’s principles and actual practice
POP is unrealistic for street-level officers
Why?
Successful POP efforts involve larger scale problems, academics, crime analysis units
Resources beyond reach of street-level officers
Shallow problem-solving is sufficient
Examples
Focused enforcement in high-risk places and at high-risk times, problem-solving with weak analyses, traditional responses, limited assessments
Summary
Braga and Weisburd recommend that…
Get rid of fantasy of street-level POP
Line-level officers should problem solve at beat
Sophisticated approaches be left with crime analysis unit and other CJ agencies, academic researchers, and community-based groups
