A Global Investigation into Evidence-Based Policing

Presentation 1: Being evidence based on the surface, seems to be a “no brainer.” But the reality is that evidence; research; and, in particular, scientific testing of operational strategies challenges the status quo and conventional approaches in policing. The fact is that “we have always done it that way” won’t cut it in the future. Nor will a reliance on policing craft, convention, or intuition-based strategies be sufficient. Although many agree with the principle, the challenge is how to operationalize evidence and make it relevant to frontline officers and management. The presenter will share insights from a global investigation where he interviewed more than 80 senior police and academics across six countries. He will also draw on frontline experience in leading evidence-based operations in the field.

Presentation 2: Operationalizing and implementing evidence-based policing (EBP) to modernize law enforcement practices and enhance their effectiveness in the U.S. has encountered resistance but there are signs it is gaining momentum. EBP emphasizes the importance of targeting, testing, and tracking interventions to ensure they address specific issues, are rigorously evaluated, and continuously monitored for performance. Practitioner-led research plays a pivotal role in this approach, fostering collaboration between police practitioners and researchers to generate actionable insights, develop capacity, and demonstrate the feasibility of replication. Key areas of research that underscore the value of EBP and are discussed include deterrence strategies, the use of police lights, and effectiveness of license plate readers. Potts discusses lessons learned attempting to implement and the importance of capacity, alignment, leadership, agency values and politics. Data-driven approaches are essential in this context, enabling precise measurement and analysis of intervention outcomes. A notable example of practitioner-researcher collaboration discussed is the contagious fire phenomenon among U.S. police while leading an organization. This partnership aimed to understand and mitigate these incidents while potentially informing policy and training. To implement EBP in a police agency, a need for a comprehensive strategy is discussed. This strategy should include training officers in EBP principles, establishing a dedicated crime analytical unit, institutionalizing deployments based on crime analysts, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Prioritizing EBP may enhance an agency’s effectiveness, build public trust, and ensure that practices are grounded in scientific evidence. This commitment represents a fundamental shift towards a more strategic, accountable, just, and effective policing model.

Presentations will be followed by a facilitated discussion and Q&A.